Alyn Williams
Alyn Williams | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 29 August 1865 Wrexham, Wales |
| Died | 1955 (aged 89–90) |
| Known for | Portraits and miniatures |
Alyn Williams (1865–1955) was a British portraitist and miniature painter. He is also known for leading the foundation of the Society of Miniature Painters.
Early life and training
[edit]Williams was born in Wrexham, Wales in 1865. His artistic training included study at the Slade School in London as well as under J. P. Laurens in Paris.[1]
Career
[edit]In 1896 he would lead the founding of the Society of Miniature Painters, (not to be confused with a similarly named society founded by Alfred Praga just a week before) and serve as its president for some time.[2] Williams would exhibit at the Royal Academy, the New Water Colour Society and the aforementioned Society of Miniature Painters.[3] He would also exhibit at the Paris Salon as well as in Chicago.[3][4]
Williams would find favour with the royal family when George Charles Williamson, while writing his 1904 book How to Identify Portrait Miniatures, would ask Queen Alexandra to sit for a portrait by Williams whom he said he considered as "standing at the head of English miniature painters".[4] In 1914, the Fine Arts Journal would describe him as "one of England's leading miniaturists", describing him as one of the most influential figures of miniature painting of the time.[4]
His sitters would include Benito Mussolini, William Howard Taft and Edward VII.[5]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Williams, Alyn", Benezit Dictionary of Artists, Oxford University Press, 2011-10-31, doi:10.1093/benz/9780199773787.article.B00197412, retrieved 2026-07-04
- ↑ BA (Hons), Claire Russell. "history of miniature painting". RMS. Retrieved 2026-07-04.
- 1 2 Foskett, Daphne (1979). Collecting miniatures. Antique Collectors' Club. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club. ISBN 978-0-902028-79-1.
- 1 2 3 Thorn, James K. (1914). "One of England's Leading Miniaturists". Fine Arts Journal. 31 (6): 559–571. doi:10.2307/25603463. ISSN 2151-2760.
- ↑ "Alyn Williams | Smithsonian American Art Museum". americanart.si.edu. Retrieved 2026-07-04.