David Wilkie Wynfield | |
|---|---|
 A self-portrait by Wynfield | |
| Born | c. 1837 |
| Died | 26 May 1887 (aged 49–50) |
| Nationality | British |
| Known for | Painting, photography |
David Wilkie Wynfield (c. 1837 – 26 May 1887) was a British painter and photographer who gained recognition for his historical genre paintings and his pioneering use of shallow-focus portrait photography.
He was a founding member of the St John's Wood Clique, a group of artists known for their historical narratives. He often used Medieval or Renaissance Europe as settings for his romantic themes in his paintings.
Although primarily a painter, Wynfield excelled in the practice of photography, with a style that imitated the painterly effects of Old Master artists. His work heavily influenced Julia Margaret Cameron, to whom he passed on his technique of shallow-focus portrait photography.
With a lack of press coverage of his work in his life, Wynfield's legacy was marginalized as a dilettante. His work has gained renewed interest in recent years due to the efforts of his descendants and his connection with Julia Margaret Cameron.