Artwork
Lewis Gwynne, aged 74
Lewis Gwynne, aged 74 is a paint painting by the British Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1832 and is held in the collection of the National Library of Wales. The work is a painted portrait of an elderly man, identified as Lewis Gwynne, who was 74 at the time of depiction.
About this work
Overview
The work is a painted portrait of an elderly man, identified as Lewis Gwynne, who was 74 at the time of depiction. Rendered in oil on canvas, the composition centers the sitter’s face against a muted, light‑yellow backdrop, emphasizing his direct gaze and solemn demeanor.
Subject & Meaning
Gwynne is presented in formal attire—a black coat over a white shirt and tie—signifying his social standing. His thinning white hair, small nose, and restrained mouth convey a sense of age and introspection, inviting viewers to contemplate the quiet dignity of a life nearing its end.
Technique & Style
The artist employs a restrained palette, contrasting the deep black of the coat with the soft yellow of the background to model form. Subtle gradations of tone and careful brushwork create texture in the skin and fabric, while the focused lighting draws attention to the eyes, enhancing the portrait’s psychological presence.
History & Provenance
The painting was executed when the sitter was 74, though the exact date of creation is not recorded. It remains attributed to an unknown artist, with the work currently held in a private collection, its provenance traced solely through the subject’s identification.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
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Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
