Collection K/PP77 - DYCE, William (1806-1864)

Born in Aberdeen, 1806; educated at Marischal College, University of Aberdeen, gaining an MA, 1822; studied Art at the school of the Royal Academy, and became acquainted with Alexander Day and William Holwell Carr; visited Rome, studying in particular Titian and Nicholas Poussin, 1825-1826; returned to Aberdeen and painted 'Bacchus nursed by the Nymphs of Nysa', which was exhibited at the Royal Academy, 1827; returned to Rome, 1827, developing his painting style which became known as 'pre-Raphaelite' - he is credited as the originator of the movement in English art; painted 'Madonna and Child', 1828 which was well received amongst the artists in Rome; returned to Aberdeen, 1828 and pursued painting and science; settled at Edinburgh, and painted over one hundred portraits, 1830-[1837]; elected a fellow of the Royal Society at Edinburgh, 1832; elected an associate of the Royal Scottish Academy, 1835; exhibited several paintings in Edinburgh and the Royal Academy, 1830-1837; led an inquiry into the working of design schools in Europe, [1838]-1840; director and secretary of the Council of the School of Design, 1840-1843; inspector of provincial schools, 1843-[1844]; Professor of Fine Arts, King's College London, 1844; published his lecture Theory of the fine arts , (London, 1844); painted the fresco 'Baptism of Ethelbert' in the House of Lords, 1846; elected member of the Royal Academy, 1848; commissioned to paint twenty-eight frescos for the House of Lords, 1848 (only five were completed by his death); appointed a juror of the Great Exhibition, 1851; undertook the interior decoration of All Saints Church, Margaret Street, 1858-1859; died in Streatham, 1864.