Artwork
Portrait of a gentleman, aged 34
Portrait of a gentleman, aged 34 is an oil painting by the Realist artist A. W. King. It dates from 1853 and is held in the collection of the National Library of Wales. A portrait executed in oil in 1853 by A.
About this work
Overview
A portrait executed in oil in 1853 by A. W. King shows a gentleman who appears to be thirty‑four years old. The work is part of the collection of the National Library of Wales, where it remains on display as a representative example of mid‑nineteenth‑century portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is presented as a mature man with dark hair, a solemn expression, and formal dress consisting of a black jacket and white shirt. The subdued demeanor and restrained pose suggest an introspective character, typical of genteel portraiture that aimed to convey personal gravitas and social standing.
Technique & Style
King employs a dark, non‑descriptive background that isolates the figure, allowing the facial features and clothing to dominate the visual field. The oil medium is handled with a smooth finish, emphasizing the texture of the fabrics while maintaining a quiet tonal palette that reinforces the painting’s somber mood.
History & Provenance
Created in 1853, the portrait entered the holdings of the National Library of Wales, where it has been conserved as part of the institution’s art collection. No further changes of ownership are recorded, indicating a relatively stable provenance since its acquisition.
Artist & collection
Artist
A.W. King painted oil portraits in mid-1800s Britain, leaving sharp-lined likenesses of sitters against plain backdrops. In the collection you’ll find his 1853 Portrait of a gentleman, aged 34, where a man in a dark…
