Artwork
Twm o'r Nant
Twm o'r Nant is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1763 and is held in the collection of the National Library of Wales. The oil painting portrays a gentleman in eighteenth‑century dress, seated before a muted gray wall.
About this work
Overview
The oil painting portrays a gentleman in eighteenth‑century dress, seated before a muted gray wall. He is shown with his right hand resting on a sheet of paper while his left hand supports his head, his gaze turned to the right. The composition conveys a quiet, thoughtful atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
Clad in a black coat trimmed with gold buttons, a white waistcoat, a brown cravat, and a black hat, the figure appears engaged in a scholarly activity. A quill poised over the paper suggests writing or reading, emphasizing intellectual contemplation.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the work employs a restrained palette of dark tones that highlight the subject’s attire and the subtle modeling of his face. The background is rendered as a flat, dark gray surface, focusing attention on the figure and his gestures.
Context
The portrait reflects the conventions of eighteenth‑century portraiture, where formal dress and props such as writing implements signaled the sitter’s education and social standing. The subdued setting aligns with contemporary preferences for emphasizing character over elaborate scenery.
Artist & collection
- Rev Thomas Thirlwall of Bowers Gifford
Elisha Doane
Reverend Thomas Thirlwall of Bowers Gifford (1764–1827)
Benjamin Roos, Parys
Portrait of a Gentleman
Untitled
Pryse Pryse (1774–1849)
Portrait of Pieter Arnold Diederichs (1804-74), bookseller and founder AD in 1828
Pryse Pryse 1774-1849
Portrait of J C de Brunett, Consul-General of Russia to Amsterdam
Cephas Smith, Jr.
Ekim Lazarev