Who painted Arthur Erskine Owen Humphreys-Owen (1876–1928)?

Arthur Erskine Owen Humphreys-Owen (1876–1928) was painted by John Seymour Lucas in 1917.

Where can I see Arthur Erskine Owen Humphreys-Owen (1876–1928)?

Arthur Erskine Owen Humphreys-Owen (1876–1928) is held by National Library of Wales.

What movement is Arthur Erskine Owen Humphreys-Owen (1876–1928)?

Arthur Erskine Owen Humphreys-Owen (1876–1928) is associated with British Romanticism.

Artwork

Arthur Erskine Owen Humphreys-Owen (1876–1928)

John Seymour Lucas , 1917

Arthur Erskine Owen Humphreys-Owen (1876–1928) is an oil painting by the British Romanticist artist John Seymour Lucas. It dates from 1917 and is held in the collection of the National Library of Wales.

About this work

Overview

John Seymour Lucas painted a portrait of Arthur Erskine Owen Humphreys‑Owen in 1917. Executed in oil on canvas, the work shows the subject seated in a military uniform, his expression solemn and his posture formal. The painting is held by the National Library of Wales and is associated with the British Romanticism tradition of early twentieth‑century portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

Arthur Erskine Owen Humphreys‑Owen, a British officer, is presented in full dress uniform, complete with brass‑buttoned jacket, belt, tie and light‑coloured shirt. The portrait emphasizes his rank and duty, conveying a restrained dignity typical of wartime commissions, while the muted background keeps attention on his face and the gravity of his service.

Technique & Style

Lucas employs a relatively loose handling of paint, especially evident in the rendering of the jacket and hands, where thick impasto creates a tactile surface. The brushwork favors overall form and atmosphere over fine detail, producing a slightly textured, atmospheric effect that aligns with the Romantic emphasis on mood rather than strict realism.

History & Provenance

Created during the final years of World War I, the portrait entered the collection of the National Library of Wales, where it remains accessible to scholars and the public. Its acquisition reflects the institution’s commitment to preserving visual records of Welsh figures who served in the British armed forces.

Artist & collection

Artist

John Seymour Lucas

John Seymour Lucas (21 December 1849 – 8 May 1923) was a Victorian English historical and portrait painter, as well as an accomplished theatrical costume designer.