Richard Arkwright

J Jenkins

Summary

A bust-length portrait of Richard Arkwright (1732-92). Arkwright, a Lancashire entrepreneur, invented a spinning machine, and developed the factory system in which to use it. Here, Arkwright is a stout gentleman with a short, curled wig. He wears a coat and buttoned waistcoat, and sits with his knees apart and the knuckles of his right hand resting on his thigh. His left hand rests on a table, on which can be seen models of his inventions. He looks questioningly towards the left, as if about to speak.