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Benjamin Williams Leader Art

English, 1831-1923
Benjamin Williams Leader entered the Royal Academy Schools from 1856 and exhibited his first painting at the summer exhibition the following year. Leader would go on to become one of the most celebrated landscape artists of the Victorian age and at the height of his fame his paintings commanded the highest prices of any British artist. He exhibited at the Royal Academy every year from 1857 to 1922, an unbroken 65 continuous years, which still stands as a record today. Benjamin Williams Leader was elected as an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1883, and an Academician in 1898. He also exhibited abroad, winning a gold medal at the Paris Salon and awarded the Legion of Honour in 1889. Examples of Leader’s work can be seen in Birmingham and Manchester Art Galleries, and the Victoria and Albert Museum and Tate Gallery in London.
(Biography provided by Academy Fine Paintings)
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Sunset
By Benjamin Williams Leader
Located in East Grinstead, GB
Benjamin Williams Leader RA was born in Worcester in 1831. He was predominantly a landscape painter in watercolour and oil. This is a small study of a Thames view, in original frame...
Category

Early 20th Century Benjamin Williams Leader Art

Materials

Watercolor

19th century Fall English landscape with figures on a path in the highlands
By Benjamin Williams Leader
Located in Woodbury, CT
Wonderful Autumn/Fall landscape by one of Englands finest landscape painters. Born as Benjamin Williams, the artist added the surname Leader (his Father’s middle name) to distingui...
Category

1880s Victorian Benjamin Williams Leader Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Conway Bay, Low Water
By Benjamin Williams Leader
Located in Wiscasett, ME
Oil on panel, signed and dated 1894 in the lower left and inscribed on the reverse. The frame measures 15.25" x 19.25". Leader was born in Worcester as Benjamin Leader Williams, the son, and first child of eleven children, of notable civil engineer Edward Leader Williams (1802–79) and Sarah Whiting (1801–88). His father was described as a "non conformist dissenter" and his mother was a Quaker – their marriage in an Anglican church resulted in them being disowned by the Society of friends. Leader's father was a keen amateur artist – a friend of John Constable – and Benjamin would often accompany him on sketching trips along the banks of the River Severn. His brother, also Edward Leader Williams, later became a notable civil engineer who was knighted for his work, and is now mainly remembered for designing Manchester ship canal...
Category

1890s Victorian Benjamin Williams Leader Art

Materials

Oil

"Conway Bay Low Water" by Benjamin Williams Leader
By Benjamin Williams Leader
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Oil on panel, signed and dated 1894 in the lower left and inscribed on the reverse. The frame measures 15.25" x 19.25". Leader was born in Worcester as Benjamin Leader Williams, the son, and first child of eleven children, of notable civil engineer Edward Leader Williams (1802–79) and Sarah Whiting (1801–88). His father was described as a "non conformist dissenter" and his mother was a Quaker – their marriage in an Anglican church resulted in them being disowned by the Society of friends. Leader's father was a keen amateur artist – a friend of John Constable – and Benjamin would often accompany him on sketching trips along the banks of the River Severn. His brother, also Edward Leader Williams, later became a notable civil engineer who was knighted for his work, and is now mainly remembered for designing Manchester ship canal...
Category

1890s British Victorian Antique Benjamin Williams Leader Art

Materials

Paint

A Hazy Morning on the Welsh Hills
By Benjamin Williams Leader
Located in Wiscasett, ME
Oil on artist panel, signed and dated lower left. It measures 19.75" x 22.75" including the frame, which is likely the original. Benjamin Williams Leader RA (12 March 1831 – 22 Ma...
Category

1870s Victorian Benjamin Williams Leader Art

Materials

Oil

"A Hazy Morning on the Welsh Hills" by Benjamin Williams Leader
By Benjamin Williams Leader
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Oil on artist panel, signed and dated lower left. It measures 19.75" x 22.75" including the frame, which is likely the original. Benjamin Williams Leader RA (12 March 1831 – 22 Ma...
Category

1870s English Victorian Antique Benjamin Williams Leader Art

Materials

Paint

19th Century Coastal Scene of Tintagel in Cornwall, UK by Benjamin. W. Leader
By Benjamin Williams Leader
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine 19th century coastal scene painting of the Atlantic Ocean in Tintagel, Cornwall, United Kingdom by Benjamin Williams Leader in a fine gilt frame. Artist: Benjamin Williams Leader (1831-1923) , British. Medium: Oil On Canvas Signed: B. W. Leader (Lower Left) Dated: 1870 Canvas size: H: 20 in / 50.8 cm ; W: 30 in / 76.2 cm Framed size: H: 27 1/2 in / 69.8 cm ; W: 37 1/4 in / 94.6 cm Artist Biography: Leader was born in Worcester as Benjamin Leader Williams, the son, and first child of eleven children, of notable civil engineer Edward Leader Williams (1802–79) and Sarah Whiting (1801–88). His father was described as a "non conformist dissenter" and his mother was a Quaker – their marriage in an Anglican church resulted in them being disowned by the Society of friends. Leader's father was a keen amateur artist – a friend of John Constable – and Benjamin would often accompany him on sketching trips along the banks of the River Severn. His brother, also Edward Leader Williams, later became a notable civil engineer who was knighted for his work, and is now mainly remembered for designing Manchester ship canal...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Benjamin Williams Leader Art

Materials

Canvas

'Wading in the River' 19th century landscape painting of figures, greenery
By Benjamin Williams Leader
Located in Shrewsbury, Shropshire
'Wading in the River' by Benjamin Williams Leader. A 19th century landscape painting of figures and baby wading in a river. Surrounded by lush greenery. This highly detailed painting...
Category

19th Century Impressionist Benjamin Williams Leader Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

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This lovely British Victorian oil painting is by Edward Charles Williams of the Williams Family of artists and related to George Morland. The painting is a figurative landscape entitled the Woodman's family and entails five figures and a dog gathered around a tree that the Woodman is tackling with his axe. The painting is signed and indistinctly dated (only visible with ultra violent light) lower left, the date being 1869. For me, the highlight of the painting is the artistry and attention to detail with which Williams has portrayed the light on the trees above and the exquisite colouring of the leaves. There are even two birds finely depicted in the tree foliage. Signed and indistinctly dated 1869 lower left (only visible under ultraviolet light). Provenance. Berkshire estate. Condition. Oil on canvas, image size is 40 inches by 36 inches and in good condition. Housed in a complementary frame. Framed size is 48 inches by 44 inches and in good condition. Edward Charles Williams (London 10 July 1807 – 25 July 1881) was an English landscape painter during the Victorian Era, and a member of the Williams family of painters. He was the eldest son of the painter Edward Williams (1781–1855) and Ann Hildebrandt (c.1780–1851), and a member of the Williams family of painters, who were related to such famous artists as James Ward RA and George Morland. His father was a well-known landscape artist, who taught him how to paint; otherwise he received no formal instruction. He adopted much of his father's style and technique, and like the other painters of his family, he devoted himself to landscapes, producing rich and tranquil views of Barnes, Cumberland, Kent, Surrey and the Thames. His paintings are now highly sought after. Williams married his first wife Mary Ann Challenger on 11 December 1839 in Westminster. Mary Ann died in 1857 in London, and his only child Alice Williams was born shortly afterwards to Sarah Susannah Horley, who had been Mary Ann's nurse – Edward and Sarah did not marry for another 10 years until 3 October 3, 1868, when they wed at the St. Pancras Old Church in Camden, London. He largely stopped painting after the 1859 death of his second wife, adding value to the small number of paintings that he did produce from 1859 on − Springer in the Bracken, The Lap Dog, The Ploughman's walk home, The Ducks at Tilbury and Primrose at St Mary's (Primrose was the Verger's Cat). Some suggest that he suffered a breakdown after his wife's death, given his choice of subjects in these later years. The location of three of these post-1859 works are unknown, and they are assumed lost during two world wars. He signed some of his work as E Williams, which leads to confusion with his father, who painted in a similar style, and at times he signed as C Williams to purposely avoid such confusion. Because many of the paintings of both father and son are unsigned, it can be difficult to correctly attribute their work. Edward Charles also collaborated on several paintings with William Shayer, where Williams would paint the landscape, and Shayer would add in figures and animals; his Near Wantage, Berkshire is a good example. He died 25 July 1881 at Shepherds Bush in London and is buried with Sarah Horley and their daughter Alice in Hammersmith Old Cemetery, close to other family graves. Edward Charles Williams was born into an artist family that is sometimes referred to as the Barnes School. His father and five surviving brothers were all noted landscape painters during the Victorian era. Three of the sons of Edward Williams changed their last names to protect the identity of their art. Edward Williams (father) Henry John Boddington, George Augustus Williams, Arthur Gilbert, Sidney Richard Percy, Alfred Walter Williams.
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1910s English School Benjamin Williams Leader Art

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Benjamin Williams Leader RA, On the Llugwy, Wales, Oil Painting
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This exquisite 19th-century oil painting by eminent British artist Benjamin Williams Leader (1831-1923) depicts a scenic view on the River Llugwy. Breathe it in, the gentle environs...
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Benjamin Williams Leader RA, Coastal View With Sand Dunes, Antique Oil Painting
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This early 20th-century oil painting by British artist Benjamin Williams Leader RA (1831-1923) depicts a bright coastal view with sand dunes. As a light breeze drifts across the shifting dunes, he stands to sketch the breakers. The tide retreating under a sky abundant with passing clouds. In the distance, via a patch of incandescent reflections, the undulant coastline fades into a blueish haze. The joy of a lazy Summer on the tranquil British coast...
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Benjamin Williams Leader RA, Study Of Conway Bay And The Carnarvonshire Coast
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This late 19th-century study by renowned British artist Benjamin Williams Leader (1831-1923) depicts a coastal view at Conway, Wales. The dunes at Conway, peppered with wind-swept f...
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A Coastal View
By Benjamin Williams Leader
Located in Wiscasett, ME
Oil on board, signed and dated 1904 in the lower left. The frame could be the original and measures 24" x 28". Leader was born in Worcester as Benjamin Leader Williams, the son, and first child of eleven children, of notable civil engineer Edward Leader Williams (1802–79) and Sarah Whiting (1801–88). His father was described as a "non conformist dissenter" and his mother was a Quaker – their marriage in an Anglican church resulted in them being disowned by the Society of friends. Leader's father was a keen amateur artist – a friend of John Constable – and Benjamin would often accompany him on sketching trips along the banks of the River Severn. His brother, also Edward Leader Williams, later became a notable civil engineer who was knighted for his work, and is now mainly remembered for designing Manchester ship canal...
Category

Early 1900s Victorian Benjamin Williams Leader Art

Materials

Oil

A Walk Through the Woods
By Benjamin Williams Leader
Located in Wiscasett, ME
Oil on canvas, signed and dated lower left. Measures 20.25" x 24.25" including the frame. The painting depicts a couple taking a walk with their dog on a beautiful summers day in t...
Category

1890s Victorian Benjamin Williams Leader Art

Materials

Oil

"A Costal View" by Benjamin Williams Leader
By Benjamin Williams Leader
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Oil on board, signed and dated 1904 in the lower left. The frame could be the original and measures 24" x 28". Leader was born in Worcester as Benjamin Leader Williams, the son, and first child of eleven children, of notable civil engineer Edward Leader Williams (1802–79) and Sarah Whiting (1801–88). His father was described as a "non conformist dissenter" and his mother was a Quaker – their marriage in an Anglican church resulted in them being disowned by the Society of friends. Leader's father was a keen amateur artist – a friend of John Constable – and Benjamin would often accompany him on sketching trips along the banks of the River Severn. His brother, also Edward Leader Williams, later became a notable civil engineer who was knighted for his work, and is now mainly remembered for designing Manchester ship canal...
Category

Early 1900s English Victorian Antique Benjamin Williams Leader Art

Materials

Paint

"a Walk through the Woods" by Benjamin Williams Leader
By Benjamin Williams Leader
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Oil on canvas, signed and dated lower left. The painting depicts a couple taking a walk with their dog on a beautiful summers day in the English countryside. Benjamin Williams...
Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Benjamin Williams Leader Art

Materials

Paint

Evening Glow - 19th Century Worcestershire Sunset English Landscape Oil Painting
By Benjamin Williams Leader
Located in Gerrards Cross, GB
‘Evening Glow’ by Benjamin Williams Leader (1831-1923). The painting – which depicts a dramatic sunset over an extensive Worcestershire country landscape - is signed by the artist an...
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1890s Victorian Benjamin Williams Leader Art

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19th Century English Landscape Painting by Benjamin Williams Leader, British
By Benjamin Williams Leader
Located in Dublin, IE
Artist: Benjamin Williams Leader RA (12 March 1831 – 22 March 1923) English landscape painter. Medium: Oil on canvas Signed: Lower Left Circa 1865 Canvas size: H: 17 1/4 in / 44 cm ; W: 25 1/2 in / 65 cm Framed size: H: 25 in 63.5 cm ; W: 33 in / 83.8 cm Artist Biography: Leader was born in Worcester as Benjamin Leader Williams, the son, and first child of eleven children, of notable civil engineer Edward Leader Williams (1802–79) and Sarah Whiting (1801–88). His father was described as a "non conformist dissenter" and his mother was a Quaker – their marriage in an Anglican church resulted in them being disowned by the Society of friends. Leader's father was a keen amateur artist – a friend of John Constable – and Benjamin would often accompany him on sketching trips along the banks of the River Severn. His brother, also Edward Leader Williams, later became a notable civil engineer who was knighted for his work, and is now mainly remembered for designing Manchester ship canal...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Benjamin Williams Leader Art

Materials

Canvas

A Welsh Hillside Path - Huge 19th Century Royal Academy Oil Painting 1867
By Benjamin Williams Leader
Located in Gerrards Cross, GB
‘A Welsh Hillside Path’ by Benjamin Williams Leader (1831-1923). This very large fine oil on canvas is signed and dated by the artist and was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1874. ...
Category

1860s Victorian Benjamin Williams Leader Art

Materials

Oil

The River Llugwy At Capel Curig
By Benjamin Williams Leader
Located in London, GB
Benjamin Williams Leader 1831-1923 The River Llugwy At Capel Curig, Wales Oil on Canvas, signed & dated 1864 Image size: 13 ¾ x 17 ½ inches Gilt frame Provenance J. Leger & Son, Bond St, London. 1961 Benjamin Williams Leader was born in Worcester, his father was a keen amateur artist - a friend of the artist John Constable and studied art at Worcester School of Design and later at the Royal Academy. The surrounding countryside to where he lived served as his early inspiration, the picturesque villages and churches, the fields and rivers. His work proved very popular and he sold successfully. He was a regular exhibitor at the RA. 1859 proved to be his most successful year yet, exhibiting his 'A Quiet Pool in Glen Falloch', following a trip to Scotland, Leader' s work was bought by Agnew's and was now going to private galleries rather than being exhibited publicly. He painted the landscapes and scenes between the Severn Valley, Worcestershire, and Wales, in particular, exhibited to much acclaim at the RA 1865, was 'Autumn's Last Gleam' and later in 1881 'February Fill Dyke', following which he became an associate (ARA) and then a Royal Academician (RA) in 1898. Born in Worcester as Benjamin Leader Williams to Sarah Whiting and Edward Leader Williams who was a civil engineer, his brother was also Edward Leader Williams, the civil engineer who designed the Manchester Ship canal...
Category

19th Century Victorian Benjamin Williams Leader Art

Materials

Oil

Benjamin Williams Leader art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Benjamin Williams Leader art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Benjamin Williams Leader in paint, oil paint, canvas and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 19th century and is mostly associated with the Impressionist style. Not every interior allows for large Benjamin Williams Leader art, so small editions measuring 4 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Francis Plummer, George Morland, and George Wright . Benjamin Williams Leader art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $476 and tops out at $12,544, while the average work can sell for $3,550.

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