Artwork
John Johnes
John Johnes is a watercolor painting by Unknown. It dates from 1847 and is held in the collection of the National Library of Wales.
About this work
Overview
John Johnes is depicted in a modest watercolor portrait that presents the judge in formal attire—a black suit, crisp white shirt, and a black bow tie. The figure is set against a pale blue field, punctuated by a deeper blue oval that frames his head, lending a subtle compositional focus to the work.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, identified as John Johnes, served as a judge, and his dignified bearing is emphasized through the restrained palette and the crisp lines of his clothing. The inclusion of the dark oval behind his head may suggest a formal backdrop typical of 19th‑century portraiture, reinforcing his status and the solemnity of his profession.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolor, the portrait relies on transparent washes to render the suit’s deep blacks and the delicate tones of the background. The artist employs a limited color range, allowing the figure’s features—dark hair, moustache, and crisp collar—to stand out against the soft blues, a common approach for quick yet precise likenesses in this medium.
History & Provenance
The work’s creator remains unidentified, and the painting is currently part of the collection of the National Library of Wales. Its presence in the library’s holdings indicates a historical connection to Welsh legal or cultural archives, where portraits of notable public figures were often preserved for reference.
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
