By William Watson
Located in Nr Broadway, Worcestershire
William Watson Jnr
British, (1847-1921)
Morning, Head of Glen Coe
Oil on canvas, signed & dated 1897, further inscribed verso
Image size: 12.5 inches x 18.5 inches
Size including frame: 19.75 inches x 25.75 inches
A superb Scottish landscape painting of Highland Sheep at the head of Glen Coe by William Watson. The sheep and their lambs are depicted grazing in the morning light with the dramatic mountains beyond. Glen Coe is a valley located in the Highlands to the North of the county of Argyll and close to the province of Lochaber. The area, which became infamous for the Massacre of Glencoe is one of Scotland’s most scenic Highland glens.
William Watson was born in Islington in 1847, the son of the London miniature painter William John Watson (1810-1871) and his wife Caroline (née Butcher). His brothers Charles Watson (1837-1900) and Robert Watson (1855-1921) were also artists. His father seems to have travelled around and after spending time in Brighton, the family moved to Bransford Road in Worcester during the early part of the 1860’s.
As well as being taught by his father, Watson received his early training in the studio of Sir Francis Grant PRA (1803-1878). He later became a pupil of Sir Edwin Henry Landseer RA (1802-1873) and Rosa Bonheur (1822–1899). Both Landseer and Bonheur had a great influence on his work and he began specialising in scenes of cattle and sheep. By 1866 he had become a full time artist and began exhibiting at the Royal Society of British Artists.
Perhaps to take advantage of the inspiring scenery, Watson moved to Birkenhead, Cheshire where in 1871 he met and married Eleanor Davies who was from Caernarvonshire. Four of their children Sidney Watson (1881-1931), Caroline Ellen Watson (1871-1947), William Robert Charles Watson (1873-1928) and Walter James Watson...
Category
19th Century Victorian William Watson Art