David Wilkie Wynfield

Place: London

Death: 1887

Biography:

In the realm of art, David Wilkie Wynfield stands out as a notable figure, known for his striking photographic portraits and historical genre paintings. Born in London in 1837, Wynfield was a founding member of the St John's Wood Clique, a group of artists recognized for their historical narratives.

Early Life and Education

Wynfield's early life was marked by a military background, with his father serving as an Indian Army officer. Despite initially considering a career in the clergy, Wynfield's interest in art flourished as a young man. He enrolled in James Mathew Leigh's art school in 1856, marking the beginning of his formal education in the field.

Career

Wynfield exhibited his first painting at the Royal Academy in 1859 and joined the St. John's Wood Clique. His paintings often focused on romantic themes and were set in Medieval or Renaissance Europe. In the 1860s, Wynfield became interested in photography and developed a unique shallow-focus portrait photography technique. He passed this technique on to Julia Margaret Cameron, who credited him as her main influence. Wynfield's photography often featured members of the St. John's Wood Clique and their friends in historical costumes, imitating the painterly effects of Old Master artists. In 1864, his photographs were published in a book called The Studio: A Collection of Photographic Portraits of Living Artists, Taken in the Style of Old Masters, by an Amateur. However, the publication of his photographs may have been unsuccessful as Wynfield withdrew them from circulation soon after. He continued to display his paintings in London exhibitions, particularly at the Royal Academy, until 1887. Wynfield supported contemporary art and artists in the late 19th century, joining the committee of the Dudley Gallery in Piccadilly, London, in 1867.

• Wynfield made a series of photographs of contemporary artists in the 1860s and 1870s to publicize his contemporaries.
• He believed that all artists, regardless of style or school, deserved equal recognition and support.
• Wynfield's interest in genealogy and heraldry influenced his humanist philosophy from the medieval period.

Some of Wynfield's notable works include: Edouard Manet, a painting by David Wilkie Wynfield, located at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, United Kingdom. This painting is an example of Wynfield's photographic portraits of fellow artists. For more information on David Wilkie Wynfield and his work, visit https://Wikioo.org/@/David-Wilkie-Wynfield or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Wilkie_Wynfield. In conclusion, David Wilkie Wynfield was a British painter and photographer who gained recognition for his historical genre paintings and his pioneering use of shallow-focus portrait photography. His work has gained renewed interest in recent years due to the efforts of his descendants and his connection with Julia Margaret Cameron.