William Henry Pyne
Encyclopedia
William Henry Pyne was an English
writer
, illustrator
and painter
. He trained at a drawing academy in London. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy
in 1790. He specialized in picturesque settings including groups of people rendered in pen, ink and watercolour. Pyne was one of the founders of Royal Watercolour Society
in 1804.
His book The Costume of Great Britain, including 60 paintings of professional and working-class men and women and scenes from everyday life, attracted the attention of the publisher Rudolph Ackermann
, and Pyne was to engrave and write for many of his projects. Pyne's The History of the Royal Residences (1816–1819) is a great illustrated book that depicts interior decorations and furnishings of Windsor Castle
, St. James's Palace
, Carlton House, Kensington Palace
and Hampton Court, although it caused financial difficulties for him – he died as poor man in 1824.
Pyne’s watercolours are in major museum collections, such as the Royal Collection
and the British Museum
.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, illustrator
Illustrator
An Illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text...
and painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
. He trained at a drawing academy in London. He first 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...
in 1790. He specialized in picturesque settings including groups of people rendered in pen, ink and watercolour. Pyne was one of the founders of Royal Watercolour Society
Royal Watercolour Society
The Royal Watercolour Society is an English institution of painters working in watercolours...
in 1804.
His book The Costume of Great Britain, including 60 paintings of professional and working-class men and women and scenes from everyday life, attracted the attention of the publisher Rudolph Ackermann
Rudolph Ackermann
Rudolph Ackermann was an Anglo-German bookseller, inventor, lithographer, publisher and businessman.- Biography :...
, and Pyne was to engrave and write for many of his projects. Pyne's The History of the Royal Residences (1816–1819) is a great illustrated book that depicts interior decorations and furnishings of 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...
, St. James's Palace
St. James's Palace
St. James's Palace is one of London's oldest palaces. It is situated in Pall Mall, just north of St. James's Park. Although no sovereign has resided there for almost two centuries, it has remained the official residence of the Sovereign and the most senior royal palace in the UK...
, Carlton House, Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace is a royal residence set in Kensington Gardens in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London, England. It has been a residence of the British Royal Family since the 17th century and is the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke and...
and Hampton Court, although it caused financial difficulties for him – he died as poor man in 1824.
Pyne’s watercolours are in major museum collections, such as 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...
and the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
.