Who painted Teulu David Charles?

Teulu David Charles was painted by Hugh Hughes in 1834.

Where can I see Teulu David Charles?

Teulu David Charles is held by National Library of Wales.

What movement is Teulu David Charles?

Teulu David Charles is associated with British Romanticism.

Artwork

Teulu David Charles

Hugh Hughes , 1834

Teulu David Charles is an oil painting by the British Romanticist artist Hugh Hughes. It dates from 1834 and is held in the collection of the National Library of Wales.

About this work

Overview

Hugh Hughes’s oil painting Teulu David Charles, completed in 1834, presents a domestic group portrait now conserved by the National Library of Wales. Executed in oil on canvas, the work records a six‑person family assembled within an interior space, rendered with a restrained palette and careful attention to the figures’ attire and surroundings.

Subject & Meaning

The composition features four women and two men, each dressed in formal nineteenth‑century clothing; the women in flowing white gowns and the men in dark suits. Gathered around a modest fireplace, the group appears engaged in quiet contemplation, suggesting themes of familial cohesion and the social proprieties of the period.

Technique & Style

Hughes employs chiaroscuro to model the figures, creating a subtle contrast between the illuminated faces and the shadowed interior. The muted tonal range and soft lighting lend the scene a serene atmosphere, while the careful rendering of textures—fabric folds, wood grain, and the flicker of firelight—adds depth and realism.

History & Provenance

Since its creation, the portrait has remained associated with the Charles family, eventually entering the collection of the National Library of Wales, where it is displayed as part of the institution’s visual documentation of Welsh cultural heritage. The painting’s provenance reflects its role as a private family record that later became a public historical resource.