WILLIAM ETTY

British, 1787–1849

BIOGRAPHY
William Etty was a painter of classical and historical subjects. Born in York, with a strict Methodist upbringing, he worked as a printer’s apprentice for seven years.  In 1807, he entered the Royal Academy and in 1808 studied under Lawrence. In 1811 the Royal Academy accepted his first work. He lived in Rome from 1821–1823. He was elected an associate of the Royal Academy in 1824 and Royal Academician in 1828. Between 1811 and 1850 he exhibited 138 works at the Royal Academy as well as at the British Institute.  Etty devoted himself to the painting of the female nude and was a familiar figure at the RA life classes all his life. His luscious, sensual sketches of female nudes frequently scandalized the Victorian public, but his large-scale works in the manner of Rubens, Titian, and Veronese were more acceptable.

Museum Collections:
Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
The Huntington Library, San Marino, CA
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
Southampton City Art Gallery, Southampton
Tate Gallery, London
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Victoria Art Gallery, Bath
York Art Gallery, York

Mark Murray Fine Paintings is a New York gallery specializing in buying and selling 19th century and early 20th century artwork. 

Please contact us if you are interested in selling your William Etty paintings or other artwork from the 19th century and early 20th century. 

WILLIAM ETTY
Paintings for sale