Description
William Henry Pyne was an English writer, illustrator and painter. He initially trained at a drawing academy in his native London and first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1790, and thereafter for six years, chiefly rural subjects. He specialized in picturesque scenes including groups of people rendered in pen, ink and watercolor. A founder of the Old Water-Colour Society in 1804, he resigned five years later when it refused to increase the membership beyond 24 artists. His works include 600 illustrations for Microcosm of London (1803-06) and The Costumes of Great Britain (1808). He attracted the patronage of the successful publisher Rudolf Ackermann and engraved and wrote for many of his projects. Pyne wrote the ambitious and sumptuous publication The History Of The Royal Residences (1816-19), which brought together eminent watercolorists, draftsmen and aquatint engravers. The latter part of his life he turned chiefly to writing, contributing to a number of periodicals and closely connected to the literary and artistic community of his time. Pyne’s watercolors are in major museum collections, including the Royal Collection and the British Museum.
Condition: Generally very good with the usual light overall toning, wear, soft creases. Occasional scattered spotting. Some with short tears, light mat burn, or light stains in outer margins, can be matted out. Some with shorter margins. Some on watermarked paper. Please inquire as to condition of particular print.
References:
Redgrave, Samuel. A Dictionary of Artists of the English School: Painters, Sculptors, Architects, Engravers and Ornamentists. London: Longmans, Green, and Col., 1874. pp. 328-329.
“William Henry Pyne.” The Grove Dictionary of Art. New York: Macmillan. 2000. Artnet.com. http://www.artnet.com/library/07/0701/T070183.asp (22 July 2004).
Abbey, Scenery, 396. Martin Hardie pp. 91, 304. Prideaux pp. 142-43, 348. Ray, The Illustrator and the Book in England From 1790 to 1914, 42. Tooley 389.
