William Frederick Wells (1762-1836)
Wells was a watercolourist and etcher from London. He trained under John James Barralet (1747-1815).
According to Bryan’s Dictionary, Wells was ‘One of the earliest practitioners in water-colours, he took an active part in the foundation of the Old [Watercolour] Society in 1804 and in 1806 was its President. Between 1795 and 1813 he exhibited at the Royal Academy, and also between 1805 and 1812, with his own society. He travelled on the continent, extending his tours to Norway and Sweden.’
In the early nineteenth century, he etched plates for the Reverend Joseph Wilkinson’s Select Views in Cumberland, Westmoreland and Lancashire, 1810 (below). In his later years Wells taught drawing at Addiscombe College.
Collections
British Museum, London
Metropolitan Museum, New York
Royal Academy, London
Tate Gallery, London
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Literature
Hind, A M (1963 reprint), A History of Engraving and Etching, Dover Publications
Mackenzie, I (1988), British Prints, Antique Collectors’ Club
Redgrave, S (1970 reprint), A Dictionary of Artists of the English School, Kingsmead Reprints
Williamson, G C Ed. (1904), Bryan’s Dictionary of Painters and Engravers, George Bell and Sons
Wells was a watercolourist and etcher from London. He trained under John James Barralet (1747-1815).
According to Bryan’s Dictionary, Wells was ‘One of the earliest practitioners in water-colours, he took an active part in the foundation of the Old [Watercolour] Society in 1804 and in 1806 was its President. Between 1795 and 1813 he exhibited at the Royal Academy, and also between 1805 and 1812, with his own society. He travelled on the continent, extending his tours to Norway and Sweden.’
In the early nineteenth century, he etched plates for the Reverend Joseph Wilkinson’s Select Views in Cumberland, Westmoreland and Lancashire, 1810 (below). In his later years Wells taught drawing at Addiscombe College.
Collections
British Museum, London
Metropolitan Museum, New York
Royal Academy, London
Tate Gallery, London
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Literature
Hind, A M (1963 reprint), A History of Engraving and Etching, Dover Publications
Mackenzie, I (1988), British Prints, Antique Collectors’ Club
Redgrave, S (1970 reprint), A Dictionary of Artists of the English School, Kingsmead Reprints
Williamson, G C Ed. (1904), Bryan’s Dictionary of Painters and Engravers, George Bell and Sons
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