Quadrant: Four themes of Petrus van der Velden, 20 October 2006 – 25 March 2007

This charcoal study of William Henry Wynn-Williams was completed by Van der Velden at one of the Christchurch Savage Club meetings in 1896. The club fostered an interest in literature, music and arts. Both Van der Velden and Wynn-Williams were members of the club, with Wynn-Williams serving as the club’s first president in 1893. This work is one of Van der Velden’s larger and more considered drawings in the exhibition. He has presented the subject sitting, paying careful attention to the details of the face in particular. Van der Velden has created a striking effect with the density of the darkly shaded background heightening the details of the sitter.