Who painted Portrait of a man?

Portrait of a man was painted by William Williams in 1875.

Where can I see Portrait of a man?

Portrait of a man is held by National Library of Wales.

What movement is Portrait of a man?

Portrait of a man is associated with American Impressionism.

Artwork

Portrait of a man

William Williams , 1875

Portrait of a man is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist William Williams. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the National Library of Wales.

About this work

Overview

Portrait of a Man is an 1875 oil painting by William Williams, featuring a formally attired individual set against a somber backdrop, characterized by strong light contrasts.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, a man with short, curly hair, is depicted in a contemplative pose, holding a paper in his left hand and resting his right arm on a wall or column, conveying an air of solemnity.

Technique & Style

The painting employs chiaroscuro, leveraging a window's light to create deep shadows, thereby adding volume and depth to the composition, a technique reminiscent of Baroque influences.

History & Provenance

The work is part of the National Library of Wales' collection, though the subject's identity and the painting's history prior to its acquisition are not detailed in available information.

Context

Created in 1875, the piece reflects late 19th-century portraiture tendencies, blending traditional formal attire with emerging artistic techniques that played with light and shadow.

Artist & collection

Artist

William Williams

British portrait painter who worked in oil during the late 1700s. His canvases usually show a single sitter in quiet poses, often dressed in dark coats and white collars. In our gallery you’ll find his Portrait of a…

Museum

National Library of Wales

Continue through works from the same source collection.