William Egley
Encyclopedia
William Egley was an English
miniature
painter.
in 1798. Shortly after the boy's birth his father moved to Nottingham
, and became confidential agent to the Walkers of Eastwood
. The gift of a box of colours which William received in early youth strengthened his desire to be a painter. However, his father wanted both himself and his brother to go into the trade of bookselling.
They went to work at the publishing house and bookshop of William Darton, on Holborn
Hill, London
; but while Thomas pursued this calling to the end of his life, William, by chance visits to the exhibitions in Somerset House
, London
cultivated and stimulated his love of painting. Without any professional teaching he succeeded in finishing two pictures, the portraits of Colonel Ogleby and of Richard yates, the actor, whhich were received and exhibited by the Royal Academy
in 1824. From that time until the year before his death he was a constant exhibitor, sending, in all, 160 miniatures to the Academy exhibitions, 2 pictures to the British Institution
, and 6 to the Suffolk Street Gallery. He was very successful in portraying children, with whom his genial temper made him a great favourite.
Egley died in London on 19 March 1870, aged 72. He was twice married, and by his first wife left a son, William Maw Egley
, a painter of historical subjects and a regular exhibitor.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
miniature
Portrait miniature
A portrait miniature is a miniature portrait painting, usually executed in gouache, watercolour, or enamel.Portrait miniatures began to flourish in 16th century Europe and the art was practiced during the 17th century and 18th century...
painter.
Life and work
Egley was born at DoncasterDoncaster
Doncaster is a town in South Yorkshire, England, and the principal settlement of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster. The town is about from Sheffield and is popularly referred to as "Donny"...
in 1798. Shortly after the boy's birth his father moved to 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...
, and became confidential agent to the Walkers of Eastwood
Eastwood, Nottinghamshire
Eastwood is a former coal mining town in the Broxtowe district of Nottinghamshire, England. With a population of over 18,000, it is northwest of Nottingham, and northeast of Derby, on the border between Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Mentioned in Domesday Book, it expanded rapidly during the...
. The gift of a box of colours which William received in early youth strengthened his desire to be a painter. However, his father wanted both himself and his brother to go into the trade of bookselling.
They went to work at the publishing house and bookshop of William Darton, on Holborn
Holborn
Holborn is an area of Central London. Holborn is also the name of the area's principal east-west street, running as High Holborn from St Giles's High Street to Gray's Inn Road and then on to Holborn Viaduct...
Hill, 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...
; but while Thomas pursued this calling to the end of his life, William, by chance visits to the exhibitions in Somerset House
Somerset House
Somerset House is a large building situated on the south side of the Strand in central London, England, overlooking the River Thames, just east of Waterloo Bridge. The central block of the Neoclassical building, the outstanding project of the architect Sir William Chambers, dates from 1776–96. It...
, 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...
cultivated and stimulated his love of painting. Without any professional teaching he succeeded in finishing two pictures, the portraits of Colonel Ogleby and of Richard yates, the actor, whhich were received and exhibited by 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...
in 1824. From that time until the year before his death he was a constant exhibitor, sending, in all, 160 miniatures to the Academy exhibitions, 2 pictures to the British Institution
British Institution
The British Institution was a private 19th-century society in London formed to exhibit the works of living and dead artists; it was also known as the Pall Mall Picture Galleries or the British Gallery...
, and 6 to the Suffolk Street Gallery. He was very successful in portraying children, with whom his genial temper made him a great favourite.
Egley died in London on 19 March 1870, aged 72. He was twice married, and by his first wife left a son, William Maw Egley
William Maw Egley
William Maw Egley was a British artist of the Victorian era. The son of the miniaturist William Egley, he studied under his father. His early works were illustrations of literary subjects typical of the period, such as Prospero and Miranda from The Tempest. These were similar to the work of The...
, a painter of historical subjects and a regular exhibitor.
External links
- Portraits by Egley (National Portrait Gallery, London).
- Portraits in the Royal Collection
- Portraits at the national Maritime Museum