Frederick Walker (painter)
Encyclopedia
Frederick Walker was an English social realist painter and illustrator described by Sir John Everett Millais
as "the greatest artist of the century".
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, Marylebone
in London, the elder of twins and the 5th son of William Henry, Jeweller, and Ann (née Powell) Walker - he was one of 8 children. His grandfather, William Walker had been an artist of some merit, who had exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy
and British Institution
between 1782-1802. Fredrick's mother was an embroideress, and became the family's chief breadwinner when his father died in 1847.
Frederick received his education at a local school and later at the North London Collegiate School
in Camden. He showed a talent for art from an early age teaching himself to copy prints using pen and ink - he also practiced drawing in the British Museum
. From 1855-57 he worked in an architect's office in Gower Street
but gave up architecture to become a student at the British Museum
and at James Mathews Leigh
's art school
.
In March 1858 he was admitted as a student at the Royal Academy
, and later that year also became a part-time apprentice wood engraver to Josiah Wood Whymper
in Lambeth
. It was here that he met fellow artists J W North and George Pinwell
. During the 2 years of his apprenticeship he continued to paint in his spare time, in both oils and watercolours.
, Once a Week
, Good Words, Everybody's Journal, and Leisure Hour. Much of his work during this period was engraved by Joseph Swain. He was introduced to satirist and author William Thackeray
, the Cornhill's editor, for whom he provided drawings (e.g. "Comfort in grief") for "The Adventures of Philip
", initially published as a serial but then as a book in 1862. He also illustrated Thackeray's unfinished novel "Denis Duval", magazine stories by Thackeray's daughter Ann Ritchie
(many of these drawings later reproduced in watercolour), and provided drawings (e.g. "Summer days") for the Dalziel brothers which appeared in 2 poetry books, "A Round of Days" and "Wayside Posies".
of 1867. Walker exhibited at the "Old Watercolour society
" from 1864 until the end of his life, becoming a member in 1866. He was also elected an honorary member of the "Belgian Watercolour Society" in 1871.
In 1863 Walker exhibited his first oil painting, "The Lost Path" at the Royal Academy, and thereafter showed "Wayfarers" (1866), "Bathers" (1867), "Vagrants" (1868), "The Old Gate" (1869), "The Plough" (1870), "At the Bar" (1871), "The Harbour of Refuge" (1872) and "The Right of Way" (1875). In 1871 he was made an associate of the Royal Academy (ARA).
from 1863. He twice visited Paris
(in 1863 and 1867) and Venice
(1868 and 1870 - in the latter year with his friend William Quiller Orchardson
). In 1873 he travelled to Algiers
in an unsuccessful attempt to recuperate from a bout of Tuberculosis
, which gradually worsened until his death in June 1875 at St. Fillan's in Perthshire
, Scotland. He was buried at Cookham
.
John Everett Millais
Sir John Everett Millais, 1st Baronet, PRA was an English painter and illustrator and one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.-Early life:...
as "the greatest artist of the century".
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Early Life and training
Walker was born at 90 Great Titchfield StreetGreat Titchfield Street
Great Titchfield Street is a street in the West End of London. It runs north from Oxford Street to Greenwell Street, just short of the busy A501 Marylebone Road and Euston Road. It lies within the informally designated London area of Fitzrovia. In administrative terms it is in the City of Westminster...
, Marylebone
Marylebone
Marylebone is an affluent inner-city area of central London, located within the City of Westminster. It is sometimes written as St. Marylebone or Mary-le-bone....
in London, the elder of twins and the 5th son of William Henry, Jeweller, and Ann (née Powell) Walker - he was one of 8 children. His grandfather, William Walker had been an artist of some merit, who had exhibited regularly 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...
and 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...
between 1782-1802. Fredrick's mother was an embroideress, and became the family's chief breadwinner when his father died in 1847.
Frederick received his education at a local school and later at the North London Collegiate School
North London Collegiate School
North London Collegiate School is an independent day school for girls founded in 1850 in Camden Town, and now in the London Borough of Harrow.The Good Schools Guide called the school an "Academically stunning outer London school in a glorious setting which, in 2003, demonstrated its refusal to rest...
in Camden. He showed a talent for art from an early age teaching himself to copy prints using pen and ink - he also practiced drawing in 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...
. From 1855-57 he worked in an architect's office in Gower Street
Gower Street
Gower Street may refer to:*Gower Street *Gower Street...
but gave up architecture to become a student at 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...
and at James Mathews Leigh
James Mathews Leigh
James Mathews Leigh was an English art educator, painter, writer, dramatist and critic. He is best known as the founder of a popular private art school in London known as "Leigh's Academy", which eventually became the present day Heatherley School of Fine Art.-Life and work:Leigh was born in...
's art school
Heatherley School of Fine Art
The Heatherley School of Fine Art was named after Thomas Heatherley who took over as principal from James Mathews Leigh . Founded in 1845, the school is affectionately known as Heatherley's...
.
In March 1858 he was admitted as a student 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...
, and later that year also became a part-time apprentice wood engraver to Josiah Wood Whymper
Josiah Wood Whymper
Josiah Wood Whymper RI was an English wood engraver, illustrator and painter. Born the son of a brewer, he was apprenticed to a stonemason. He soon turned to drawing and painting, settled in London in 1829 and studied under William Collingwood Smith...
in Lambeth
Lambeth
Lambeth is a district of south London, England, and part of the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated southeast of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
. It was here that he met fellow artists J W North and George Pinwell
George John Pinwell
George John Pinwell , was a British watercolour painter.He was born at Wycombe and received his art education at educated at St. Martin's Lane Academy and Heatherley's Academy...
. During the 2 years of his apprenticeship he continued to paint in his spare time, in both oils and watercolours.
The Illustrator
In 1859 he joined the Artists' society in Langham Chambers, and from 1860-65 achieved great success as a black and white illustrator for popular journals of the day such as Cornhill MagazineCornhill Magazine
The Cornhill Magazine was a Victorian magazine and literary journal named after Cornhill Street in London.Cornhill was founded by George Murray Smith in 1860 and was published until 1975. It was a literary journal with a selection of articles on diverse subjects and serialisations of new novels...
, Once a Week
Once A Week (magazine)
Once A Week was an English weekly illustrated literary magazine published by Bradbury and Evans. According to John Sutherland, "[h]istorically the magazine's main achievement was to provide an outlet for [an] innovative group of illustrators [in] the 1860s."The magazine was founded in consequence...
, Good Words, Everybody's Journal, and Leisure Hour. Much of his work during this period was engraved by Joseph Swain. He was introduced to satirist and author William Thackeray
William Makepeace Thackeray
William Makepeace Thackeray was an English novelist of the 19th century. He was famous for his satirical works, particularly Vanity Fair, a panoramic portrait of English society.-Biography:...
, the Cornhill's editor, for whom he provided drawings (e.g. "Comfort in grief") for "The Adventures of Philip
The Adventures of Philip
The Adventures of Philip on his Way Through the World: Shewing Who Robbed Him, Who Helped Him, and Who Passed Him By is a novel by William Makepeace Thackeray...
", initially published as a serial but then as a book in 1862. He also illustrated Thackeray's unfinished novel "Denis Duval", magazine stories by Thackeray's daughter Ann Ritchie
Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie
Anne Isabella, Lady Ritchie, née Thackeray was an English writer. She was the eldest daughter of William Makepeace Thackeray.- Life :...
(many of these drawings later reproduced in watercolour), and provided drawings (e.g. "Summer days") for the Dalziel brothers which appeared in 2 poetry books, "A Round of Days" and "Wayside Posies".
The artist
Walker produced his first important watercolour, "Strange faces" in 1862 (Yale Center for British Art, New Haven), and in the following year "Philip in Church" which won a medal at the Paris ExhibitionExposition Universelle (1867)
The Exposition Universelle of 1867 was a World Exposition held in Paris, France, in 1867.-Conception:In 1864, Emperor Napoleon III decreed that an international exposition should be held in Paris in 1867. A commission was appointed with Prince Jerome Napoleon as president, under whose direction...
of 1867. Walker exhibited at the "Old Watercolour society
Royal Watercolour Society
The Royal Watercolour Society is an English institution of painters working in watercolours...
" from 1864 until the end of his life, becoming a member in 1866. He was also elected an honorary member of the "Belgian Watercolour Society" in 1871.
In 1863 Walker exhibited his first oil painting, "The Lost Path" at the Royal Academy, and thereafter showed "Wayfarers" (1866), "Bathers" (1867), "Vagrants" (1868), "The Old Gate" (1869), "The Plough" (1870), "At the Bar" (1871), "The Harbour of Refuge" (1872) and "The Right of Way" (1875). In 1871 he was made an associate of the Royal Academy (ARA).
Final years
Walker never married and lived all his life in London with members of his family - brother John (d. 1868), sister Fanny (d. 1876) and Mother (d. 1874) - residing in BayswaterBayswater
Bayswater is an area of west London in the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to the west . It is a built-up district located 3 miles west-north-west of Charing Cross, bordering the north of Hyde Park over Kensington Gardens and having a population density of...
from 1863. He twice visited Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
(in 1863 and 1867) and Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
(1868 and 1870 - in the latter year with his friend William Quiller Orchardson
William Quiller Orchardson
Sir William Quiller Orchardson was a noted Scottish portraitist and painter of domestic and historical subjects who was knighted in June 1907, at the age of 75.-Early years:...
). In 1873 he travelled to Algiers
Algiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
in an unsuccessful attempt to recuperate from a bout of Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
, which gradually worsened until his death in June 1875 at St. Fillan's in Perthshire
Perthshire
Perthshire, officially the County of Perth , is a registration county in central Scotland. It extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, Rannoch Moor and Ben Lui in the west, and Aberfoyle in the south...
, Scotland. He was buried at Cookham
Cookham
Cookham is a village and civil parish in the north-easternmost corner of Berkshire in England, on the River Thames, notable as the home of the artist Stanley Spencer. It lies north of Maidenhead close to the border with Buckinghamshire...
.
Books illustrated by Walker
- Thackeray, W. M. The Adventures of Philip (Smith, Elder & Co, 1862).
- Dalziel, George. A Round of days (Routledge, 1866).
- Buchanan, R. W. Wayside Posies (Routledge, 1867).
- Thackeray, W. M. Denis Duval (Smith, Elder & Co, 1867).
Further reading
- Carr, J. Comyns. Essays on Art (London: Smith, Elder, & Co., 1879) pp. 198-222.
- Marks, John George. Life and letters of Frederick Walker, A. R. A. ( London, Macmillan & Co., 1896).
- Phillips, Claude, Sir. Frederick Walker and his works (London: Seeley & Co., 1897).
- Black, Clementina. Frederick Walker (Duckworth & Co., 1902).
- Redgrave, Gilbert Richard. A history of water-colour painting in England (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1905) pp. .
External links
- Fred Walker ARA (Biog at southwilts.com)
- Frederic Walker (Art Renewal Center Museum)
- Frederic Walker (Victorian web)
- Frederic Walker online (artcyclopedia.com)
- Walker at the Tate Gallery
- Autumn (1865 painting at the V & A)
- Spring (1865 painting at the V & A)