Jorden, Richard

Gender:

Male

Date and place of birth:

Unknown

Date and place of death:

Unknown

Worked:

(fl) 1779-1785

Known places of work:

Wales

Known techniques:

Painted on card

Known materials:

Card

Frames:

Oval pressed and hammered brass & oval gilt wood

Signature:

Not Recorded

Introduction:

Richard Jorden was an artist active in the late 18th century, known for painting in very dense black on both card and glass. Little detail is known about his life or work, but it is suggested that Richard’s older brother, the silhouettist Walter Jorden, strongly influenced his choice of career.

Very few details are known about the life of Richard Jorden or his brother. It appears that he only worked in Britain, though quite extensively, spending time in Welsh as well as English towns. Jorden used brass and gilt wood fashioned into an oval shape to frame his artwork. No trade labels have been discovered.

Richard Jorden painted on flat glass and paper. He was known for using dense black paint, with little detail to the profile. His techniques changed somewhat over time, particularly the bust-line style which became more concave and rounded at the front. Also, as his career progressed he began to add more detail to clothing. Richard Jorden’s work is still appreciated today, with his silhouettes sold at auctions for hundreds of pounds.