Henry Mossop
- Artist: John Hamilton Mortimer
- Artist: William Ridley
- Artist: Vernor & Hood
- Date: 1799
- Medium: stipple
- Dimensions: Long Term Loan
- Portrays: Henry Mossop
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
In this portrait of Henry Mossop the figure is rendered in delicate stipple, the tiny dots that give his face a soft texture. You’ll notice the subtle shading around his eyes and mouth, which adds depth without heavy lines. The background is plain, keeping all attention on Mossop’s face. The work was published by Vernor & Hood on 30 September 1799 – they were well‑known London publishers of prints.
The portrait was based on a painting by John Hamilton Mortimer, a history painter of the late 18th century. Mortimer’s original composition was then copied by the stipple engraver William Ridley, who made the final engraving that we see today.
Henry Mossop himself was an actor of the period; he appears twice in portrait form and this image captures his profile with a quiet intensity typical of theatrical portraits from that era.
See it in person
Henry Mossop is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
