Portrait of Matthew Boulton (1728-1809) Carl Frederik von Breda (1759-1818)

The portrait presents a gentleman seated in a chair, his gaze directed towards the viewer with a measured expression. He is dressed in a dark coat, its cut indicative of late eighteenth-century fashion, and a crisp white shirt collar peeks from beneath. His powdered wig, neatly arranged, contributes to an overall impression of formality and status. The sitter holds a small disc or coin in his left hand, while his right rests upon a marble ledge, suggesting both leisure and control.
The background is complex, layered with symbolic elements. A heavy drape of deep red fabric dominates the left side, its folds creating a sense of theatricality and enclosure. Beyond this curtain, a landscape unfolds – a vista featuring what appears to be an industrial complex or factory buildings set against a hazy sky. The presence of these structures, rendered in muted tones, introduces a subtext relating to industry, innovation, and perhaps the burgeoning economic power of the era. A large rock formation is positioned near the ledge on which the sitter’s hand rests; its inclusion might allude to solidity, permanence, or even geological resources – a subtle nod towards material wealth and enterprise.
The lighting in the painting is carefully orchestrated. It illuminates the gentlemans face and hands, drawing attention to his features and the objects he holds. The shadows that fall across his coat and the chair contribute to a sense of depth and volume. The artist’s use of color reinforces this effect; the dark tones of the clothing contrast with the lighter hues of the shirt and wig, creating visual interest and highlighting the sitters presence.
The composition itself is structured around diagonals – the angle of his body, the slope of the chair, and the receding lines of the landscape – which contribute to a dynamic feel despite the overall formality of the pose. The painting conveys an impression not merely of individual portraiture but also of a man deeply connected to the economic and industrial developments shaping his time.