Portrait of Charles Green - George Perfect Harding

A detailed stipple engraving by George Perfect Harding depicting the renowned British aeronaut Charles Green, complete with a small balloon in the background.

This stipple engraving by George Perfect Harding depicts the British aeronaut Charles Green. Harding, a painter and copyist known for his meticulous documentation of historical figures, captures Green in a formal bust-length pose. The subject wears a high-collared coat with a fur-trimmed cape, reflecting the fashion of the early nineteenth century. His expression is composed, directed slightly away from the viewer, suggesting a contemplative mood.

To the right of the sitter, a small hot-air balloon is rendered in the background. This inclusion serves as a direct reference to Green's profession. Charles Green was a famous balloonist of his era, known for his numerous ascents and his use of coal gas rather than hydrogen. The inclusion of the balloon provides context to the identity of the sitter, linking the portrait to the scientific and adventurous spirit of the period.

Harding employs the stipple technique to create subtle gradations of tone, particularly in the modelling of the face and the texture of the clothing. The background is kept simple, allowing the figure to remain the primary focus. The print demonstrates the precision characteristic of Harding's work, which often involved reproducing portraits from oil paintings or miniatures for publication in biographical collections. This specific work documents a figure whose contributions to aviation were widely recognised during his lifetime. The composition is balanced, with the balloon acting as a secondary element that informs the viewer of Green's public identity. The print is presented on a clean, neutral background, maintaining the aesthetic of a nineteenth-century archival document.