William Corden the Elder
Encyclopedia
William Corden the Elder (21 January 1795 - 18 June 1867) was an English portrait painter and miniaturist known for his commissions from the Royal Family
in the mid nineteenth century.
William Corden was born in Ashbourne, Derbyshire
on the 21 January 1795, the son of Robert Corden and his wife Sarah. He was apprenticed at the Royal Crown Derby
pottery under Robert Bloor and is reputed to have been among the painters decorating the famous Rockingham Pottery
dessert service made for William IV
which was first used at Queen Victoria's coronation celebrations. He married Esther Simpson in Derby
on the 25 September 1816; he rented an artist's studio at 51 Oxford Street, London
and exhibited at the Royal Academy
. By 1831, William had moved his family to Windsor
living first at 17, Brunswick Terrace, New Windsor and then Vine Cottage in Old Windsor. William and Esther had nine children, eight born in Derby and the last in Windsor including William (1819–1900) known as William Corden the Younger who followed in his father's footsteps as a portrait painter.
William Corden the Elder painted an oil portrait in 1829 of Sir Edmund Nagle (1757–1830) for George IV and a watercolour of Queen Victoria on the East Terrace at Windsor Castle
in 1838, one of the earliest paintings of Queen Victoria; both of these paintings are in the Royal Collection
. In 1844 William accepted a commission from Prince Albert
to travel to Coburg
to paint full size reproductions of family portraits there and took his son William with him to assist. There are over 50 paintings by William Corden listed in the Royal Collection but it is not always evident which were painted by the father and which by the son.
Esther died in Windsor in 1855 and William moved back to the midlands. He married Betsy Wood Mannin at Radford, Nottingham
in 1859 and they lived at Arkwright Street, Nottingham. William died in Nottingham on the 18th June 1867 age 72.
Royal family
A royal family is the extended family of a king or queen regnant. The term imperial family appropriately describes the extended family of an emperor or empress, while the terms "ducal family", "grand ducal family" or "princely family" are more appropriate to describe the relatives of a reigning...
in the mid nineteenth century.
William Corden was born in Ashbourne, Derbyshire
Ashbourne, Derbyshire
Ashbourne is a small market town in the Derbyshire Dales, England. It has a population of 10,302.The town advertises itself as 'The Gateway to Dovedale'.- Local customs :...
on the 21 January 1795, the son of Robert Corden and his wife Sarah. He was apprenticed at the Royal Crown Derby
Royal Crown Derby
The Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company is a porcelain manufacturer, based in Derby, England. The company, particularly known for its high-quality bone china, has produced tableware and ornamental items since approximately 1750...
pottery under Robert Bloor and is reputed to have been among the painters decorating the famous Rockingham Pottery
Rockingham Pottery
The Rockingham Pottery was a 19th century manufacturer of porcelain of international repute, supplying fine wares and ornamental pieces to royalty and the aristocracy in Britain and overseas, as well as manufacturing porcelain and earthenware items for ordinary use.It is best known for its finely...
dessert service made for William IV
William IV of the United Kingdom
William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death...
which was first used at Queen Victoria's coronation celebrations. He married Esther Simpson in Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
on the 25 September 1816; he rented an artist's studio at 51 Oxford Street, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and exhibited at the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
. By 1831, William had moved his family to Windsor
Windsor, Berkshire
Windsor is an affluent suburban town and unparished area in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. It is widely known as the site of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British Royal Family....
living first at 17, Brunswick Terrace, New Windsor and then Vine Cottage in Old Windsor. William and Esther had nine children, eight born in Derby and the last in Windsor including William (1819–1900) known as William Corden the Younger who followed in his father's footsteps as a portrait painter.
William Corden the Elder painted an oil portrait in 1829 of Sir Edmund Nagle (1757–1830) for George IV and a watercolour of Queen Victoria on the East Terrace at Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
in 1838, one of the earliest paintings of Queen Victoria; both of these paintings are in the Royal Collection
Royal Collection
The Royal Collection is the art collection of the British Royal Family. It is property of the monarch as sovereign, but is held in trust for her successors and the nation. It contains over 7,000 paintings, 40,000 watercolours and drawings, and about 150,000 old master prints, as well as historical...
. In 1844 William accepted a commission from Prince Albert
Prince Albert
Prince Albert was the husband and consort of Queen Victoria.Prince Albert may also refer to:-Royalty:*Prince Albert Edward or Edward VII of the United Kingdom , son of Albert and Victoria...
to travel to Coburg
Coburg
Coburg is a town located on the Itz River in Bavaria, Germany. Its 2005 population was 42,015. Long one of the Thuringian states of the Wettin line, it joined with Bavaria by popular vote in 1920...
to paint full size reproductions of family portraits there and took his son William with him to assist. There are over 50 paintings by William Corden listed in the Royal Collection but it is not always evident which were painted by the father and which by the son.
Esther died in Windsor in 1855 and William moved back to the midlands. He married Betsy Wood Mannin at Radford, Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
in 1859 and they lived at Arkwright Street, Nottingham. William died in Nottingham on the 18th June 1867 age 72.
External links
- http://www.oxforddnb.com/index/101006307/ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Index entry)
- http://www.royalcrownderby.co.uk Royal Crown Derby
- http://www.thepotteries.org/features/royal_crown_derby1956.htm "British Potters and Potters Today" (extract)
- http://royalcollection.org.uk Royal Collection home page
- http://royalcollection.org.uk/eGallery/maker.asp?maker=11941 Royal Collection e-Gallery