3-008-332 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Grandfather's Portrait" by W. H. Knight in the Winter Exhibition at the French Gallery, 1862. Engraving of a painting. 'There is a great deal of natural humour with a happy freedom from exaggeration and mannerism displayed in this little picture, which forms part of the winter exhibition now on view at the French Gallery. The little fellow who has just scratched the outline of his grandfather's profile on his slate shows no symptoms of the conceit which sometimes distinguishes young pretenders of artistic genius, but calmly awaits the verdict of his father, mother, and sisters, who are scrutinising the work with evident interest and approval. The old gentleman himself is rather curious, and not altogether at ease regarding the liberty which, unknown to himself, has just been taken with his physiognomy, and, having risen from his chair, peers across the table to see how he looks. The whole group is very cleverly arranged, the expression of the various personages admirably realising the little supposed incident'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.