Description
The painting "Robert Gwillym of Atherton and His Family" by the artist Arthur Devis is a work that transports us to 18th century England. The portrait shows Robert Gwillym, a prominent merchant of the time, with his wife and two children. The composition of the painting is very interesting, as Devis manages to create a sense of depth and space through the arrangement of characters and objects in the room.
Devis's artistic style is very characteristic of the time, as it is part of the English middle-class portraiture movement. The artist uses a highly detailed and realistic technique to depict the characters and objects in the room. Also, the use of light and color is very subtle and delicate, bringing a feeling of warmth and comfort to the scene.
One of the most interesting aspects of this painting is the story behind it. Robert Gwillym is known to have commissioned this work from Arthur Devis as a gift to his wife. The painting was passed down through the generations until it was finally acquired by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where it is currently located.
Another little-known aspect of this work is that Devis included various objects in the room that have symbolic meaning. For example, the grandfather clock in the left corner of the painting represents the importance of time and punctuality in the life of the Gwillym family. In addition, the dog that appears in the scene symbolizes the loyalty and unconditional love that family members have for each other.
In short, the painting "Robert Gwillym of Atherton and His Family" is a work that offers us a fascinating look at the life of the English middle class of the eighteenth century. Arthur Devis's detailed and realistic technique, combined with composition and subtle use of colour, make this work a jewel of contemporary art.