William Etty: The Life and Art

Front Cover
McFarland, 2007 - 493 pages
English painter William Etty (1787-1849) believed women were God's most glorious work. His determination to present that glorious work in its finest light led to criticism in his day for his choice of nudes as subjects. Today, this nineteenth century painter deserves recognition for his place in the history of English art, a poor boy who struggled against all odds to live his dream as a painter, and who eventually achieved the title of academician at the Royal Academy of Arts.
The life of William Etty is thoroughly explored and generously illustrated in this biography. The historical and cultural backdrop for Etty's life and works is studied throughout the book. Chapters detail his family background and childhood, his home in York, his life in London and at the Royal Academy, and his struggles to make a living. His studies in Italy and France and his career as a painter are explored in detail. His work with the York School of Design in the final decade of his life, his place in the fine arts market and his emulators are described. An appendix examines Etty's relationship with his niece Betsy, his caretaker, housekeeper and assistant.
 

Contents

Preface
3
CHAPTER
19
CHAPTER
39
CHAPTER THREE
52
CHAPTER FOUR
74
CHAPTER FIVE
95
CHAPTER
113
CHAPTER SEVEN
132
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
267
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
288
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
314
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
336
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
357
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
375
CHAPTER NINETEEN
402
CHAPTER TWENTY
416

CHAPTER EIGHT
153
CHAPTER NINE
173
CHAPTER
197
CHAPTER ELEVEN
227
CHAPTER TWELVE
246
CHAPTER TWENTYONE
431
Appendix Betsy
457
Chapter Notes
477
Bibliography
483
Copyright

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

About the author (2007)

A member of the Association of Art Historians, Leonard Robinson is a former vice-president of the Friends of York Art Gallery.

Bibliographic information