Artwork
Catherine Owen, daughter Lewis Anwyl
Catherine Owen, daughter Lewis Anwyl is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1760 and is held in the collection of the National Library of Wales. The work is an oil painting portraying a woman from the waist upward.
About this work
Overview
The work is an oil painting portraying a woman from the waist upward. She wears a dark, ruffled dress trimmed in white, with a matching white frill at the neckline and cuffs, and a dark shawl draped over her shoulders. Set against a deep, shadowy background, the figure is illuminated, highlighting her composed expression and subtle smile.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait is identified as Catherine Owen, daughter of Lewis Anwyl. Her attire and demeanor convey a sense of restrained dignity, typical of genteel portraiture in the period. The slight smile and serious gaze suggest a balance between personal poise and the expectations of modesty for women of her social standing.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the artist employs chiaroscuro to separate the subject from the dark backdrop, allowing the white trim and facial features to emerge with clarity. The brushwork is smooth in the flesh tones, while the fabric’s texture is suggested through delicate, layered strokes that capture the sheen of the ruffles.
History & Provenance
The painting’s provenance traces to the family of Lewis Anwyl, though specific details of its commission or early ownership remain undocumented. It has been retained within private collections linked to the Anwyl lineage before entering public view, providing a rare visual record of the family’s matriarchal figure.
Context
Portraits of women in the 18th‑century British Isles often emphasized modest attire and subdued settings, reflecting contemporary ideals of femininity and virtue. The dark dress with white detailing aligns with fashion trends of the era, while the intimate scale suggests a personal rather than formal, public commission.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
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
