Riault, the engraver

Whistler, James McNeill, 1834-1903 · 1860

A three-quarter length portrait of an elderly man, bearded and somewhat bald. He sits at the left of a workman's table, upon which, on a pad, rests a wood block which he holds in place with his left hand while he engraves upon it with his right. Upon the table are four burins. In the background, at the right, is a framed picture. There is shading at the left of the engraver's right shoulder and between his figure and the table. Near the right lower corner, "Whistler, 1860."