This intriguing portrait drawing was previously thought to be by Sir Godfrey Kneller and was possibly catalogued as such when with the collector and artist August Grahl. The approach is different to the style of his drawings, however, and therefore another artist must be considered as the author, perhaps Michael Dahl, the soft tones even hazy quality resembling some of his sketches. Of note is the fact that the image is actually drawn in the reverse as the coat buttons that are visible appear on the opposite side of the jacket for a male coat. This together with the oval impression drawn in the background suggests it was intended for engraving as a mezzotint.

August Grahl (1791-1868) was a German artist and collector whose immense collection of old master drawings was sold at Sotheby’s in April 1885. His collectors mark (Lugt 1199) can be found in the lower right corner of the drawing presented here.