Bronze Age Gold from Wales

Portrait of a Lady

WILSON, Richard (1714-1782 Richard Wilson, originally from Montgomeryshire, is often called ‘the Father of British landscapes’ for the key role he played in the development of the tradition, though he initially trained as a portrait painter. He became the first major artist to popularize images of Wales that went beyond topographical accuracy. Caiff Richard Wilson, sy’n wreiddiol o Sir Drefaldwyn, ei alw’n aml yn ‘Dad tirluniau Prydain’ am y rôl allweddol a chwaraeodd yn natblygiad y traddodiad, er iddo hyfforddi fel peintiwr portreadau i gychwyn. Ef oedd yr artist mawr cyntaf i boblogeiddio delweddau o Gymru oedd yn mynd y tu hwnt i gywirdeb topograffaidd.)

This sitter is presumed to be Miss Mary Jenkins (1731-1790), whose family owned Priston Manor, Somerset. Richard Wilson also painted her sister Elizabeth in 1750, the same year he began his Grand Tour of Italy. The setting shows an interior space, with Wilson’s use of light illuminating her youthful features as her outstretched hand holds flowers. She is dressed in a typical Van Dyck style, common with eighteenth-century portraitists, with her black gown, pink bows and white ermine collar.

Collection Area

Art

Item Number

NMW A 11411

Creation/Production

WILSON, Richard
Date: 1750 ca

Acquisition

Purchase - ass. of Art Fund, 30/3/2017
Purchased with support from The Art Fund

Measurements

Height (cm): 127.8
Width (cm): 101.7
Height (in): 50
Width (in): 40

Techniques

oil on canvas
Techniques (fine art)
art dept - fine
Fine Art - painting

Material

oil paint

Location

Gallery 04

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