Hamlet, William, the Elder (McKechnie Section 2)
See Section Three for main entry
The profile of a man which I have illustrated is typical of Hamlet's painting on card. Transparency is achieved by the thinning of black water-colour pigment, though one technical feature of Hamlet's painting on card is his use of Chinese white to show strands of hair which lie against the face. He did not use as much variety in colour as William Hamlet the younger (q.v.): black, and thinned black, seem to have been the rule for his work.
Hamlet was working at a time when women's dresses were of light-weight, thin material. On his silhouettes of women, he paints dresses in thinned pigment; details of lace, ribbons and hair are finely executed. The bust-line finish varies, as may be seen from the illustrations. A deep shadow where the arm emerges from the dress is a characteristic feature.
Hamlet's silhouettes painted on card were usually framed in papier mâché. He frequently used a frame with a rose and leaf hanger.
Ills. 820-822, 977, 984
820
Unknown woman
Silhouette painted on card
c. 1807
3 x 2½in./77 x 64mm.
Frame: papier mâché
Unknown woman
Silhouette painted on card
c. 1807
3 x 2½in./77 x 64mm.
Frame: papier mâché
This silhouette, executed with very fine brushwork, is unlabelled but is identifiable as being from Hamlet’s hand by comparison with the example illustrated in 822. Acquired by the author in Bath.
Author’s collection
821
Unknown man
Silhouette painted on card
c. 1808
3 x 2½in./77 x 64mm.
Trade Label No. 3
Frame: papier mâché
Unknown man
Silhouette painted on card
c. 1808
3 x 2½in./77 x 64mm.
Trade Label No. 3
Frame: papier mâché
Author’s collection
822
Unknown woman
Silhouette painted on card
c. 1810
3 x 2½in./77 x 64mm.
Trade Label No. 1d
Frame: papier mâché
Unknown woman
Silhouette painted on card
c. 1810
3 x 2½in./77 x 64mm.
Trade Label No. 1d
Frame: papier mâché
It is interesting to compare the brushwork with that of the silhouette shown in 820.
Private collection
977
Woman’s head. Detail from a silhouette by William Hamlet the elder, showing his competent brush-work. (820)
Woman’s head. Detail from a silhouette by William Hamlet the elder, showing his competent brush-work. (820)
984
Man’s hairs. Detail from a silhouette by William Hamlet the elder. Most of the hair is painted in thinned black pigment; the locks next to the sitter’s face (in solid black) are painted in Chinese white. (821)
Man’s hairs. Detail from a silhouette by William Hamlet the elder. Most of the hair is painted in thinned black pigment; the locks next to the sitter’s face (in solid black) are painted in Chinese white. (821)