Etty, William

views updated May 18 2018

Etty, William (1787–1849). Painter. Son of a baker, born in York and educated at Pocklington, Etty was apprenticed to a printer, but moved to London in 1806 and worked under the guidance of Lawrence. His first success was Cleopatra's Arrival, a crowded canvas (1821). He was elected ARA in 1824 and full Academician in 1828, defeating constable by 18 votes to 5. The large classical and historical themes on which he concentrated are not greatly to modern taste, but his nudes have always won admiration, and many of his portraits are outstanding, particularly John Brook (York City Art Gallery) and the Hon. Caroline Norton (private collection). Much of his work is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and there is a special collection at York, with a somewhat insignificant statue of the artist (by J. W. Milburn, 1910–11) outside the gallery. Etty left a good (and romanticized) self-portrait, and an autobiography.

J. A. Cannon