Mr. G. McLaughlin Robert Frederick Blum (1857-1903)

Here we observe a full-length portrait rendered in a delicate pen and ink style. The subject is a young man dressed in what appears to be late 18th-century attire: a fitted coat with elaborate embroidery, breeches, stockings, buckled shoes, and a tricorn hat perched jauntily on his head. He stands with one hand casually tucked into his pocket and the other resting upon the lapel of his coat, adopting a posture that suggests both confidence and relaxed informality.
The artist has employed hatching and cross-hatching techniques to create tonal variation and suggest form. The background is rendered with a flurry of short, parallel lines, creating an impressionistic texture rather than a detailed setting. This treatment directs the viewer’s attention squarely onto the figure. A subtle shading around the face and neck indicates a light source from the left.
The young mans expression is somewhat ambiguous; he appears to be looking slightly downward with a hint of melancholy or introspection in his eyes. The overall effect is one of restrained elegance, hinting at a certain social standing and perhaps a touch of youthful vulnerability.
Subtly, the drawing conveys an air of studied nonchalance. The carefully arranged clothing and posture suggest a deliberate presentation of self, while the downcast gaze introduces a layer of complexity that prevents a straightforward reading of vanity or arrogance. One might interpret this as a commentary on the performative aspects of identity within a hierarchical society, where appearances are paramount.
The signature at the bottom right corner, along with the date 1844, provides contextual information without explicitly defining the subject’s role or narrative beyond his representation in this moment. The drawing seems to be less about capturing likeness and more about exploring character through gesture and dress.