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History of Portraiture
History of Portraiture
@oldportraiture.bsky.social
7 months ago
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#GeraldFestusKelly (1879-1972)
Portrait of #ElizabethBowesLyon (1900-2002), Queen of the United Kingdom, who was #BornOnThisDay
ca. 1938-45
Royal Collection
#QueenMother #BowesLyon #Windsor

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Michael
Michael
@mdstamper.bsky.social
10 months ago
This is one of around 20 portraits of Burmese Princess Saw Ohn Nyun (aka Sao Ohn Nyunt or စဝ်အုန်းညွန့် ) painted by British artist Gerald Festus Kelly. She was a princess of Hsipaw, a now disestablished Shan state in present-day Myanmar. She is best known for her beauty and as the subject of Kelly's notable portrait. She is referred to as the “Mona Lisa of Asia” in Myanmar. In 1931, Sao Ohn Nyunt traveled to London with her cousin, Sao Ohn Kya, the reigning Sawbwa of Hsipaw, to participate in the Round Table Conferences, which focused on constitutional reforms in Burma and India. During her time in London, she attended a reception where she met the renowned British portrait artist. Impressed by her poise and beauty, Kelly persuaded her to sit for a series of portraits, which became notable works in his collection. Despite serving as court painter to the British Royal Family during World War II, none of his works would bring him greater recognition than the 20 portraits of Sao Ohn Nyunt. Posters of these portraits went on to sell more than 50,000 copies and continue to be available today. In his account, Kelly noted that the princess experienced a profound nostalgia for her Shan homeland. When he encountered her at a reception, she was nearly "bored to tears" by England and its abominable weather. Her portraits have remained popular in modern-day Myanmar. She is the central focus: seated in profile on cushion, suggesting a formal or posed setting, turning her head towards us with a gentle, almost reserved expression. Her hair is styled in a neat updo, adorned with a small, light-colored flower. She wears a light beige, long-sleeved top with a slightly flared hemline. Her lower garment is a longer, pink skirt or wrap with a patterned design. The fabric appears soft and flowing with attention given by Kelly to the fold and cloth.

This is one of around 20 portraits of Burmese Princess Saw Ohn Nyun (aka Sao Ohn Nyunt or စဝ်အုန်းညွန့် ) painted by British artist Gerald Festus Kelly. She was a princess of Hsipaw, a now disestablished Shan state in present-day Myanmar. She is best known for her beauty and as the subject of Kelly's notable portrait. She is referred to as the “Mona Lisa of Asia” in Myanmar. In 1931, Sao Ohn Nyunt traveled to London with her cousin, Sao Ohn Kya, the reigning Sawbwa of Hsipaw, to participate in the Round Table Conferences, which focused on constitutional reforms in Burma and India. During her time in London, she attended a reception where she met the renowned British portrait artist. Impressed by her poise and beauty, Kelly persuaded her to sit for a series of portraits, which became notable works in his collection. Despite serving as court painter to the British Royal Family during World War II, none of his works would bring him greater recognition than the 20 portraits of Sao Ohn Nyunt. Posters of these portraits went on to sell more than 50,000 copies and continue to be available today. In his account, Kelly noted that the princess experienced a profound nostalgia for her Shan homeland. When he encountered her at a reception, she was nearly "bored to tears" by England and its abominable weather. Her portraits have remained popular in modern-day Myanmar. She is the central focus: seated in profile on cushion, suggesting a formal or posed setting, turning her head towards us with a gentle, almost reserved expression. Her hair is styled in a neat updo, adorned with a small, light-colored flower. She wears a light beige, long-sleeved top with a slightly flared hemline. Her lower garment is a longer, pink skirt or wrap with a patterned design. The fabric appears soft and flowing with attention given by Kelly to the fold and cloth.

“Saw Ohn Nyun IV” by Gerald Festus Kelly (British) - Oil on canvas / 1932-1944 - Touchstones Rochdale (Manchester, England) #womeninart #art #oilpainting #portraitofawoman #princess #womensart #SawOhnNyun #GeraldFestusKelly #burma #myanmar #TouchstonesRochdale #portrait #RochdaleArts&HeritageService

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