|
| | | Prev Artist Next Artist
|
|
William Simpson
British Painter (1823-1899)
was a British artist and war correspondent. Born into poverty in Glasgow on 28 October 1823, Simpson went on to become one of the leading 'special artists' of his day, and sketched many scenes of war for the Illustrated London News. His early years were very difficult living in a house with an abusive and alcoholic father, and in 1834 he was sent to live with his grandmother in Perth. Simpson's only formal schooling took place during this period and within a few years, he was working as an apprentice in the Glasgow lithographic firm of Macfarlane. The artist stated later that "this was the turning point which changed all my boyish intentions." It was during the years in Glasgow that he attended the Andersonian University and the Mechanics Institute in the evenings. His next position was with the lithographic company of Allan and Ferguson where he spent four years learning the trade. In 1851 Simpson moved to London where he was hired by Day & Sons. While at Day's he was able to work on several important lithographic sets. He became famous initially for his work in the Crimean War where he was sent by the firm of Colnaghi to create a series of watercolors suitable for lithographing. In the late 1850's he was sent to India to sketch scenes relating to the recent Sepoy Revolt. He joined the ILN in 1866 and covered the Abyssinian Campaign of 1868. In 1870 he went to France to sketch the war with Prussia, and in the following year observed the barricades of the Paris Commune. During a trip around the world, he stopped off in California and traveled to the Lava Beds area to report on the Modoc War in 1873. Five years later, he journeyed to Afghanistan to provide illustrations of the Second Afghan War that had broken out; he returned to London in the summer of 1879. In 1890, he observed the opening of the Forth Bridge and caught a chill which was to have detrimental effects on his health. He died at home in Willesden, north London, on August 17, 1899, and was buried in Highgate Cemetery. Besides his war pictures, he covered state events, coronations, funerals, and other ceremonies. He was particularly interested in India and sketched scenes of the Kashmir Maharajas.
|
|
|
|
|
| Click Image to Enlarge |
Commissariat in Difficulties
c 1855
watercolour 14.9 x 27.3 cm
(10 3/4 x 16 1/2 in)
Victoria and Albert Museum London (mk63)
Painting ID:: 28376
|
|
|
Commissariat_in_Difficulties
c 1855
watercolour 14.9 x 27.3 cm
(10 3/4 x 16 1/2 in)
Victoria and Albert Museum London (mk63)
|
|
|
|
| Click Image to Enlarge |
A Muslim with Raised Hands
mk153
17.8x14.6cm
Painting ID:: 39819
|
|
|
A_Muslim_with_Raised_Hands
mk153
17.8x14.6cm
|
|
|
|
| Click Image to Enlarge |
Chaityagriha no.19 at Ajanta
mk153
Watercolor over pencil
49.5x34.9cm
Painting ID:: 39843
|
|
|
Chaityagriha_no.19_at_Ajanta
mk153
Watercolor over pencil
49.5x34.9cm
|
|
|
|
| Click Image to Enlarge |
The Lake of Kashmir at Shrinagar
mk153
Watercolor on paper
25.4x36.8cm
Painting ID:: 39863
|
|
|
The_Lake_of_Kashmir_at_Shrinagar
mk153
Watercolor on paper
25.4x36.8cm
|
|
|
|
| Click Image to Enlarge |
Queen of Portugal
circa 1840(1840)
Medium oil
cyf
Painting ID:: 96559
|
|
|
Queen_of_Portugal
circa 1840(1840)
Medium oil
cyf
|
|
|
| Prev Artist Next Artist
|
|
William_Simpson
British Painter (1823-1899)
was a British artist and war correspondent. Born into poverty in Glasgow on 28 October 1823, Simpson went on to become one of the leading 'special artists' of his day, and sketched many scenes of war for the Illustrated London News. His early years were very difficult living in a house with an abusive and alcoholic father, and in 1834 he was sent to live with his grandmother in Perth. Simpson's only formal schooling took place during this period and within a few years, he was working as an apprentice in the Glasgow lithographic firm of Macfarlane. The artist stated later that "this was the turning point which changed all my boyish intentions." It was during the years in Glasgow that he attended the Andersonian University and the Mechanics Institute in the evenings. His next position was with the lithographic company of Allan and Ferguson where he spent four years learning the trade. In 1851 Simpson moved to London where he was hired by Day & Sons. While at Day's he was able to work on several important lithographic sets. He became famous initially for his work in the Crimean War where he was sent by the firm of Colnaghi to create a series of watercolors suitable for lithographing. In the late 1850's he was sent to India to sketch scenes relating to the recent Sepoy Revolt. He joined the ILN in 1866 and covered the Abyssinian Campaign of 1868. In 1870 he went to France to sketch the war with Prussia, and in the following year observed the barricades of the Paris Commune. During a trip around the world, he stopped off in California and traveled to the Lava Beds area to report on the Modoc War in 1873. Five years later, he journeyed to Afghanistan to provide illustrations of the Second Afghan War that had broken out; he returned to London in the summer of 1879. In 1890, he observed the opening of the Forth Bridge and caught a chill which was to have detrimental effects on his health. He died at home in Willesden, north London, on August 17, 1899, and was buried in Highgate Cemetery. Besides his war pictures, he covered state events, coronations, funerals, and other ceremonies. He was particularly interested in India and sketched scenes of the Kashmir Maharajas.
|
|
|
ARTWORKS INDEX
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ARTISTS INDEX A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
|
|
Wholesale China Oil Painting Wholesale Oil Painting China Xiamen Portrait Reproduction on canvas Chinese Oil Painting Wholesale
|
|
