William John Huggins
Encyclopedia
William John Huggins was a popular English marine painter who won royal patronage for his work.
. During his voyages he made many drawings of ships and landscapes in China
and elsewhere. He eventually settled in Leadenhall Street
, near East India House
in London
, England, and practised his art as a profession, being specially employed to make drawings of ships in the company's service. His work, both original and as prints, found a ready market amongst merchants and seamen.
In 1817 Huggins exhibited a picture in the Royal Academy
, and continued to exhibit occasionally up to his death. He also exhibited at the British Institution
from 1825 onwards. He became a marine-painter to George IV
and to William IV
- for the latter painting three large pictures of the Battle of Trafalgar
.
Huggins died in Leadenhall Street, London, in May 1845.
), they are regarded as a valuable record of the shipping of the period. Some of his work was engraved.
Life
Little is known of Huggins' early life but he was recorded as being a sailor in the service of the East India CompanyEast India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
. During his voyages he made many drawings of ships and landscapes in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and elsewhere. He eventually settled in Leadenhall Street
Leadenhall Street
Leadenhall Street is a street in the City of London, formerly part of the A11. It runs east from Cornhill to Aldgate, and west vice-versa. Aldgate Pump is at the junction with Aldgate...
, near East India House
East India House
East India House in Leadenhall Street in the City of London in England was the headquarters of the British East India Company. It was built on the foundations of the Elizabethan mansion Craven House, the London residence of Sir William Craven, Lord Mayor of London, to designs by the merchant and...
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...
, England, and practised his art as a profession, being specially employed to make drawings of ships in the company's service. His work, both original and as prints, found a ready market amongst merchants and seamen.
In 1817 Huggins exhibited a picture in 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 continued to exhibit occasionally up to his death. He also exhibited at 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...
from 1825 onwards. He became a marine-painter to George IV
George IV of the United Kingdom
George IV was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also of Hanover from the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later...
and to 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...
- for the latter painting three large pictures of the Battle of Trafalgar
Battle of Trafalgar
The Battle of Trafalgar was a sea battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the French Navy and Spanish Navy, during the War of the Third Coalition of the Napoleonic Wars ....
.
Huggins died in Leadenhall Street, London, in May 1845.
Works
Huggins' nautical knowledge ensured his pictures had some repute as portraits of ships, and, although "weak in colouring and general composition" (according to art historian Lionel CustLionel Cust
Sir Lionel Henry Cust, KCVO FSA was an English art historian and museum director. He was director of the National Portrait Gallery from 1895 to 1909 and co-edited The Burlington Magazine from 1909 to 1919....
), they are regarded as a valuable record of the shipping of the period. Some of his work was engraved.
Paintings (selected)
- The gallant encounter between H.M.S. Boadicea and two French warships Le Duquay-Trouin and Guerriére on 31st August 1803 (1822 - Christie's)
- Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805
- The Royal George on her return from Ireland
External links
- Huggins biography and paintings (National Maritime MuseumNational Maritime MuseumThe National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England is the leading maritime museum of the United Kingdom and may be the largest museum of its kind in the world. The historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, it also incorporates the Royal Observatory, Greenwich,...
, London) - Huggins online (ArtCyclopedia)