Artwork
David Lloyd George (1863–1945)
David Lloyd George (1863–1945) is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Charles Goldsborough Anderson. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the National Library of Wales.
About this work
Overview
Charles Goldsborough Anderson’s oil portrait, executed in 1916, presents the former British prime minister David Lloyd George. The work measures a typical portrait scale and is part of the National Library of Wales collection, where it remains on public view. Anderson captured the statesman during the latter part of his political career, shortly after the First World War.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas focuses on an elderly Lloyd George seated at a table, his white hair and moustache contrasting sharply with a dark suit and bow tie. His hands rest calmly on the surface, while his gaze, illuminated by a focused light source, conveys a sense of resolve and contemplation, reflecting his role as a wartime leader and post‑war reformer.
Technique & Style
Anderson employed a subdued palette and soft, blended brushwork to render the textures of the suit and shirt, allowing the fabric to recede gently into the background. The use of chiaroscuro—strong contrasts of light and shadow—models the face and hands, giving the portrait a three‑dimensional presence that emphasizes the subject’s facial features and expression.
History & Provenance
Since its completion in 1916, the portrait has been held by the National Library of Wales, where it forms part of the institution’s visual documentation of Welsh political figures. The painting has not been recorded in major exhibitions, but it serves as a reference point for scholars studying early‑20th‑century British portraiture and the visual legacy of Lloyd George.
Artist & collection
