Matt Rix, Naive Style Portrait of Gwen, Welsh Lady in Traditional Dress, 2000s, Oil Painting, Framed

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“Gwen” is a charming and evocative folk art portrait by British artist Matt Rix, known for his distinctive naive style … Read more “Gwen” is a charming and evocative folk art portrait by British artist Matt Rix, known for his distinctive naive style that blends simplicity with storytelling. Rendered with a disarming directness, this painting captures the quiet dignity of a traditional Welsh lady, paying homage to heritage through bold, uncomplicated brushwork and rich, textural details.

The subject, Gwen, is portrayed front-facing and solemn, wearing the iconic tall, black Welsh hat, perched over a crisp white bonnet. Her shawl—a light green and blue checkered wrap—drapes across her shoulders, adding a gentle rhythm of pattern and colour to the composition. She gazes outward with striking green eyes, framed by soft auburn-brown hair, which peeks delicately from beneath her bonnet.

The background is a deep, matte grey, serving to enhance the vibrancy of her garments and the clarity of her expression, while contributing a quiet moodiness to the overall piece.

Presented in a hand-painted brown frame, the artwork is lined with antique papers, reinforcing the piece's connection to memory, history, and craft. The naive style of the painting, with its deliberate flatness and bold outlines, invites the viewer into a world both familiar and timeless.

“Gwen” was selected for inclusion in the Sixteen Gallery’s Open Call Exhibition in Cheltenham, England, running from August to September 2025. Its inclusion in this curated showcase reflects both the strength of Rix's folk-inspired vision and the continued relevance of traditional cultural identity in contemporary British art.

The painting measures approximately 33cm x 25cm overall. Executed on board. This piece has an attribution mark,
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