Richard Westall

Richard Westall (13 January 1765 – 4 December 1836) was an English painter.

Westall was the more successful of two half-brothers (both sons of a Benjamin Westall, from Norwich), who each became painters. His younger half-brother was William Westall (1781-1850), a much-travelled landscape painter.

Born in Norwich, Richard Westall was apprenticed to a heraldic silver engraver in London in 1779 before studying at the Royal Academy School of Art from 10 December 1785. He exhibited at the Academy regularly between 1784 and 1836, became an Associate in November 1792 and was elected an Academician on 10 February 1794. From 1790 to 1795 he shared a house with Sir Thomas Lawrence, the future Royal Academy president, at 57 Greek Street, on the corner of Soho Square, each of the artists placing their name on one of the entrances.

His works – many in water-color - included portraits (including Queen Victoria, Richard Ayton and one of Lord Byron that hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in London.cite news
title = Richard Westall (1765-1836), History painter
work = National Portrait Gallery, UK
url = http://www.npg.org.uk/live/search/person.asp?LinkID=mp07720&role=art
accessdate = 2008-07-11 ] ) and many historical subjects of a neo-classical nature (eg: Shakespearean scenes), and he was a successful illustrator of books (including an edition of the Bible and of John Milton’s poems), working for (among others) noted publisher John Boydell. He also served as drawing master to Princess, later Queen Victoria between 1827 and his death in 1836. She was his first and only pupil, but one who was inspired by his example.

References

*Marina Warner, "Queen Victoria's Sketchbook", Macmillan, 1979.
*John Ramm, Forgotten Pioneer, "Antique Dealer & Collectors Guide", Nov 1998, Volume 53, No. 4