Artwork
Portrait of Mrs. Ralph Sneyd (Mary Ellis Sneyd)
Portrait of Mrs. Ralph Sneyd (Mary Ellis Sneyd) is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Lawrence Alma-Tadema. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the Clark Art Institute. This 1895 oil painting, Portrait of Mrs.
About this work
Overview
This 1895 oil painting, Portrait of Mrs. Ralph Sneyd (Mary Ellis Sneyd), is the work of Lawrence Alma-Tadema, a Dutch-born artist who made London his home. The Clark Art Institute holds the portrait in its collection.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Mary Ellis Sneyd seated in a chair, gazing directly at the viewer. Her calm demeanor and the serene atmosphere of the surrounding room convey a sense of quiet contemplation.
Technique & Style
Alma-Tadema's detailed rendering of the subject's attire and surroundings is characteristic of his style. The painting features a play of light through a stained-glass window, illuminating the subject and highlighting the artist's skill in capturing texture and atmosphere.
Context
The portrait is part of Alma-Tadema's oeuvre, which often featured refined interiors and elegant figures, reflecting his training at the Royal Academy of Antwerp and his establishment in England.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema ( AL-mə TAD-ay-mə; born Lourens Alma Tadema, Dutch: ; 8 January 1836 – 25 June 1912) was a Dutch painter who later settled in the United Kingdom, becoming the last officially recognised denizen in 1873.
Portrait of a Woman in a White Dress
Young Woman in White Holding a Bouquet
Woman in White
Portrait of Alexandrine Patchenko, the Painter’s Sister-in-Law
Portrait of Vera Kharitonenko
Portrait of Lady Armstrong (née Ferrard)
Berligot Ibsen (née Bjornsen)
María de las Mercedes de Alcázar y Nero Vera de Aragón marquesa de Coquilla
Harriet Hubbard Ayer
Pariisitar
Concepción Miramón
Portrait of Helena Piltz née Rymowicz