Reverend Christmas Evans (1766–1838)

Image credit: Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales

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Born in Bodgadfa, Angelsey, Roos enjoyed some success as a portraitist and a painter of animals. He engraved this portrait of the Baptist minister Christmas Evans (1766–1838) in mezzotint, and it is his best-known work. Evans was one of the powerful preachers of the day, an evangelical fire-and-brimstone revivalist who could drive a congregation to terror or religious ecstasy. Roos's painting captures the sheer physical power of the man – who was, reputedly, seven feet tall – and had only one eye, the other blind socket being sewn shut.
Title

Reverend Christmas Evans (1766–1838)

Date

1835

Medium

oil on millboard

Measurements

H 39.4 x W 33.2 cm

Accession number

NMW A 2410

Acquisition method

purchased from a private collection, 1907; transferred from the Cardiff Museum, 1912

Work type

Painting

Inscription description

Revd. Christmas Evans in his study painted from life at his house in P.....i Road, Carnarvon 1832 by Wm. Roos (artist then living...) to Christmas Evans The most ideal Preacher Wales ever produced Robert Hall said he was a World of Ideas

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