Artwork
Gutyn Peris
Gutyn Peris is an oil painting by William Roos. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Library of Wales.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1850, this oil portrait by Welsh painter and engraver William Roos presents a solemn gentleman dressed in a dark coat, yellow cravat and a white hat topped with a slightly disheveled feather. A gold chain bearing two medals rests at his throat, and the figure is set against an unadorned dark backdrop that emphasizes his facial features.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is identified as Griffith Williams, a figure of some standing in 19th‑century Wales, as indicated by the medals he wears, which likely denote official or civic honors. His composed expression and formal attire suggest a portrayal intended to convey respectability and authority, reflecting the social status he held within his community.
Technique & Style
Roos employed a restrained palette, using the deep tones of the background to isolate the subject’s face and attire. The oil medium allows for subtle modelling of flesh and fabric, while the crisp rendering of the medals and feather demonstrates the artist’s attention to detail. The overall composition balances realism with a modest, almost academic, presentation.
History & Provenance
William Roos produced a series of portraits of notable Welsh personalities during the mid‑19th century; many of these works now belong to the National Library of Wales. *Gutyn Peris* remains part of that collection, illustrating Roos’s role in documenting contemporary Welsh elites through portraiture.
Context
The painting emerges from a period when regional identity and the commemoration of local leaders were gaining prominence in Wales. Portraits such as this served both as personal commemorations and as visual records of the individuals who contributed to civic and cultural life during the era.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Roos (1808 – 4 July 1878) was a Welsh artist and engraver. Several of Roos' portraits, mainly of notable Welsh figures, are owned by the National Library of Wales.
