The artwork titled “Portrait of Mrs Atkinson” was created by the artist Gwen John around the period of 1897 to 1898. This piece falls under the Post-Impressionism art movement and is categorized within the genre of portraiture.
In the artwork, an elderly woman identified as Mrs. Atkinson is depicted sitting in an interior setting. The subject is adorned in dark, somber clothing that suggests a modest and perhaps melancholic disposition. Her attire includes a shawl and a hat, typical of the late 19th century fashion. The background features patterned wallpaper, enhancing the intimate and domestic atmosphere of the setting. Adjacent to Mrs. Atkinson is a mantelpiece adorned with small decorative items, including what appears to be a sculpture of a skull, and above it is a framed picture. The expression on Mrs. Atkinson’s face is contemplative, revealing a sense of gravity or introspection. Gwen John’s use of muted colors and meticulous detail invites viewers to speculate about the subject’s inner life and the subtleties of her environment.
