Sir William Blake Richmond (1842–1921) was a distinguished British artist whose career spanned the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Renowned for his contributions to the fields of painting, sculpture, and design, Richmond left an indelible mark on the art world of his time. Born on September 29, 1842,at 10 York Street, in London, he was the son of George Richmond, himself a noted portrait painter.
Richmond's artistic talents were evident from a young age, and in 1858, he received formal training at the Royal Academy Schools, where he honed his skills in painting and sculpture. Influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the aesthetic movement, Richmond developed a style characterized by meticulous attention to detail and a penchant for classical themes.
One of Richmond's early successes came with his painting "Sponsa de Libano," exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1864. In 1866 he moved to Rome where for three years he studied the old masters under Professor Giovanni Costa, and learning the technique of fresco. This work, inspired by the biblical Song of Solomon, showcased his skillful use of color and composition, garnering praise from critics and fellow artists alike.
Throughout his career, Richmond remained deeply engaged with the art world, participating in numerous exhibitions and artistic societies. He became a member of the Royal Academy in 1895 and served as its Professor of Painting from 1895 to 1899. His tenure at the Academy was marked by a commitment to artistic innovation and education, as he sought to nurture the talents of the next generation of artists.
In addition to his work as a painter, Richmond was also a gifted sculptor, producing notable works such as the monument to William Ewart Gladstone in St. Paul's Cathedral and the frieze on the exterior of the Whitehall Theatre in London. His works in this medium include a Greek Runner in St Peter's Square, Hammersmith, a funerary monument to Bishop King in Lincoln Cathedral, and monuments to Gladstone and his wife at Howarden, North Wales.
Richmond's influence extended beyond the realm of fine art; he was also a prominent figure in the world of design and decoration. He collaborated with architect Sir Aston Webb on the interior decoration of the Royal Naval College in Greenwich, showcasing his talent for integrating art with architecture. Richmond was Slade Professor at Oxford from 1879 to 1882, became ARA in 1888 and was elected full Academician in 1895.
He died on 11 February 1921 at Beavor Lodge, London.
In recognition of his contributions to the arts, Richmond was knighted in 1897. His legacy endures through his works, which are held in collections around the world, and through the impact he had on subsequent generations of artists.
References:
- Barringer, Tim, and Jason Rosenfeld. "William Blake Richmond." In "Pre-Raphaelites: Victorian Art and Design," edited by Tim Barringer, Jason Rosenfeld, and Alison Smith, 346–47. London: Tate Publishing, 2012.
- Lambourne, Lionel. "Richmond, Sir William Blake (1842–1921), painter, sculptor, and designer." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, May 2011 [https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/35740].
- Prettejohn, Elizabeth. "Sir William Richmond and the Legacy of the Pre-Raphaelites." Apollo, vol. 160, no. 529 (2004): 39–43.