William Shayer snr RA,RBA,BI
1787 - 1879

William Shayer Snr was a famous painter of landscapes and coastal scenes. Born in Southampton, his initial training as a
coach painter provided him with a thorough technical grounding.
He used skilful glazing techniques, which give his works great depth and luminosity. His work typifies English rural life in the
first half of the 19th Century and frequently depicts Hampshire and the New Forest. Shayer was prolific through necessity,
having 10 children before he fully established as an artist. William Joseph & Edward Da shwood became artists, as did
Shayer’s two sons by his second wife Elizabeth, Henry Thring & Charles Waller.
He exhibited many works including 338 at Suffolk Street, the Royal Academy from 1820 -1843, the Royal Society of British
Artists, and the British Institute.
This particular work shows William Snr working on his own and at his very finest.
Works in public collections: Numerous British Museums including the Tate Gallery, London, Glasgow Art Gallery, Leicester Art
Gallery, V&A Museum, Sunderland Art Gallery.

Bibl: The Shayer Family of Painters- Steward/ Cutten