Who painted Portrait of John William Scharff (b.1895)?

Portrait of John William Scharff (b.1895) was painted by Walter Osborne in 1891.

Where can I see Portrait of John William Scharff (b.1895)?

Portrait of John William Scharff (b.1895) is held by National Gallery of Ireland.

Artwork

Portrait of John William Scharff (b.1895)

Portrait of John William Scharff (b.1895) is an oil painting by Walter Osborne. It dates from 1891 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.

About this work

Overview

This oil painting, 'Portrait of John William Scharff', is the work of Walter Osborne, an Irish artist associated with Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. It is held in the National Gallery of Ireland.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts a young boy, John William Scharff, born in 1895, dressed in a black sailor suit and hat, holding a hoop, standing before a wooden cabinet with books on top, against a warm beige wall.

Technique & Style

Osborne's use of oil paint achieves a sense of depth and texture, characteristic of his figurative style, which often captured everyday life, particularly working-class subjects and children.

History & Provenance

The painting was created by Walter Osborne, who was active in depicting Dublin's everyday life, though the exact date is given as around 1891, predating the subject's birth.

Artist & collection

Artist

Walter Osborne

Walter Frederick Osborne (17 June 1859 – 24 April 1903) was an Irish impressionist and Post-Impressionism landscape and portrait painter, best known for his documentary depictions of late 19th century working class life.