William Marlow
Encyclopedia
William Marlow was a British landscape and marine painter and etcher.
in London
, and studied for 5 years under Samuel Scott the marine painter, and also at the St. Martin's Lane Academy
, London.
He became a member of the Incorporated Society of Artists
, and from 1762 to 1764 he contributed to their exhibitions in Spring Gardens
. He was employed in painting country houses.
From 1765 to 1768, on the advice of the Duchess of Northumberland
, he travelled in France and Italy.
On his return to Britain he renewed his contributions to the Society of Artists, and took up residence in Leicester Square
, London - he was made a Fellow of the Society in 1771.
In 1788 he removed to Twickenham
, and started to exhibit at the Royal Academy
, sending works regularly till 1796, and again, for the last time, in 1807, when he sent "Twickenham Ferry by Moonlight".
Marlow died in Twickenham on 14 January 1813.
and watercolours, and drew marine and landscape scenes; he was influenced by Richard Wilson
and Canaletto
. According to one critic, "his drawings are graceful but of no great power, and his method in water-colour did not advance beyond tinting", and "he realised a moderate competence". Another writer commented, "his watercolours are rather feeble in the stained manner, but his views of the Thames are truthful and delicate in colour". His subjects were generally British country scenes, but he painted some pictures from his Italian sketches, and etched some of the latter, as well as some views on the Thames. His views of the bridges at Westminster and Blackfriars in London were engraved.
Marlow exhibited in all 152 works - 125 at the Society of Artists, two at the Free Society of Artists, and twenty-five at the Royal Academy.
Much of Marlow's work is to be found in the Government Art Collection
and Tate Gallery
in London, and some in regional galleries in Britain including Derby Art Gallery
, Frith has paintings in the collection of several British institutions including Leicester and Derby Art Gallery
. and the USA.
Life
Marlow was born in SouthwarkSouthwark
Southwark is a district of south London, England, and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Southwark. Situated east of Charing Cross, it forms one of the oldest parts of London and fronts the River Thames to the north...
in 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 studied for 5 years under Samuel Scott the marine painter, and also at the St. Martin's Lane Academy
St. Martin's Lane Academy
The St. Martin's Lane Academy, which was the precursor of the Royal Academy, was organized in 1735 by William Hogarth, from the circle of artists and designers who gathered at Slaughter's Coffee House at the upper end of St. Martin's Lane, London. The artistic set that introduced the Rococo style...
, London.
He became a member of the Incorporated Society of Artists
Society of Artists
The Society of Artists of Great Britain was founded in London in May 1761 by an association of artists in order to provide a venue for the public exhibition of recent work by living artists, such as was having success in the long-established Paris salons....
, and from 1762 to 1764 he contributed to their exhibitions in Spring Gardens
Spring Gardens
Spring Gardens is a street in London, England, crossing The Mall between Admiralty Arch and Trafalgar Square.It was named after the gardens which were previously on the site, which featured a trick fountain...
. He was employed in painting country houses.
From 1765 to 1768, on the advice of the Duchess of Northumberland
Elizabeth Percy, Duchess of Northumberland
Elizabeth Percy, née Seymour, Duchess of Northumberland, heiress to the earldom of Northumberland and 2nd Baroness Percy was a British peeress....
, he travelled in France and Italy.
On his return to Britain he renewed his contributions to the Society of Artists, and took up residence in Leicester Square
Leicester Square
Leicester Square is a pedestrianised square in the West End of London, England. The Square lies within an area bound by Lisle Street, to the north; Charing Cross Road, to the east; Orange Street, to the south; and Whitcomb Street, to the west...
, London - he was made a Fellow of the Society in 1771.
In 1788 he removed to Twickenham
Twickenham
Twickenham is a large suburban town southwest of central London. It is the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan...
, and started to exhibit 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...
, sending works regularly till 1796, and again, for the last time, in 1807, when he sent "Twickenham Ferry by Moonlight".
Marlow died in Twickenham on 14 January 1813.
Work
Marlow painted, in oilsOil painting
Oil painting is the process of painting with pigments that are bound with a medium of drying oil—especially in early modern Europe, linseed oil. Often an oil such as linseed was boiled with a resin such as pine resin or even frankincense; these were called 'varnishes' and were prized for their body...
and watercolours, and drew marine and landscape scenes; he was influenced by Richard Wilson
Richard Wilson (painter)
Richard Wilson was a Welsh landscape painter, and one of the founder members of the Royal Academy in 1768. Wilson has been described as '...the most distinguished painter Wales has ever produced and the first to appreciate the aesthetic possibilities of his country.' He is considered to be the...
and Canaletto
Canaletto
Giovanni Antonio Canal better known as Canaletto , was a Venetian painter famous for his landscapes, or vedute, of Venice. He was also an important printmaker in etching.- Early career :...
. According to one critic, "his drawings are graceful but of no great power, and his method in water-colour did not advance beyond tinting", and "he realised a moderate competence". Another writer commented, "his watercolours are rather feeble in the stained manner, but his views of the Thames are truthful and delicate in colour". His subjects were generally British country scenes, but he painted some pictures from his Italian sketches, and etched some of the latter, as well as some views on the Thames. His views of the bridges at Westminster and Blackfriars in London were engraved.
Marlow exhibited in all 152 works - 125 at the Society of Artists, two at the Free Society of Artists, and twenty-five at the Royal Academy.
Much of Marlow's work is to be found in the Government Art Collection
Government Art Collection
The United Kingdom's Government Art Collection places works of art in major Government buildings in the UK and around the world to promote British art, culture and history....
and Tate Gallery
Tate Gallery
The Tate is an institution that houses the United Kingdom's national collection of British Art, and International Modern and Contemporary Art...
in London, and some in regional galleries in Britain including Derby Art Gallery
Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Derby Museum and Art Gallery was established in 1879, along with Derby Central Library, in a new building designed by Richard Knill Freeman and given to Derby by Michael Thomas Bass. The collection includes a whole gallery displaying the paintings of Joseph Wright of Derby; there is also a large...
, Frith has paintings in the collection of several British institutions including Leicester and Derby Art Gallery
Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Derby Museum and Art Gallery was established in 1879, along with Derby Central Library, in a new building designed by Richard Knill Freeman and given to Derby by Michael Thomas Bass. The collection includes a whole gallery displaying the paintings of Joseph Wright of Derby; there is also a large...
. and the USA.
External links
- William Marlow online (ArtCyclopedia)
- William Marlow biography ("Grove Dictionary of Art" at artnet.com)
- Works by Marlow (Government Art Collection)
- Works by Marlow (Tate Gallery)
- View of the Lake and the Island from the Lawn at Kew (1763, watercolour - The Metropolitan Museum of Art)
- View of the Wilderness at Kew (1763, watercolour - The Metropolitan Museum of Art)
- Strawberry Hill (V & A)
- A Town and Castle on a River (oil on canvas - National Galleries of Scotland)