Artwork
Matthijs (or Matthew) Maris (1839 - 1917)
Matthijs (or Matthew) Maris (1839 - 1917) is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist John Macallan Swan. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland.
About this work
Overview
John Macallan Swan’s 1896 oil portrait, titled Matthijs (or Matthew) Maris, presents a bearded, moustached man in a dark jacket over a white collared shirt. The figure’s brown hair and solemn expression are set against a deep, shadowy backdrop that isolates him from any surrounding detail, focusing attention on his features and attire.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter’s formal clothing—dark jacket and crisp shirt—suggests a professional status or a person of some standing. His serious gaze and composed demeanor convey a sense of gravitas, inviting viewers to consider the individual’s character and the social role he may have occupied in late‑19th‑century society.
Technique & Style
Swan employs a restrained palette, using muted dark tones for the background to heighten contrast with the illuminated face and hands. The brushwork is smooth and precise, especially in rendering the texture of the beard and the fabric’s folds, reflecting the artist’s academic training and his skill in portraiture.
History & Provenance
Completed in 1896, the portrait entered the collection of the Scottish National Gallery, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the gallery’s commitment to representing British portraiture of the period, and the work has been catalogued as part of Swan’s later oeuvre, produced shortly before his death in 1917.
Artist & collection
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