WILLIAM ETTY-OIL PAINTING-FEMALE NUDE

WILLIAM ETTY RA

1787 – 1849

“Bather contemplating a lonely Butterfly”

Oil on panel
Plaque signed “Guillaume Etty“with pencil inscription verso.
Frame size: 16½ x 14½ inches / 41.9 x 36.8 cm
Stock number: PC9361/0518
Price: SOLD

William Etty was a painter of classical and historical subjects. Born in York, with a strict Methodist upbringing, he worked as a printer’s apprentice for seven years.  In 1807, he entered the Royal Academy and in 1808 studied under Lawrence. In 1811 the Royal Academy accepted his first work. He lived in Rome from 1821–1823. He was elected an associate of the Royal Academy in 1824 and Royal Academician in 1828. Between 1811 and 1850 he exhibited 138 works at the Royal Academy as well as at the British Institute.  Etty devoted himself to the painting of the female nude and was a familiar figure at the RA life classes all his life. His luscious, sensual sketches of female nudes frequently scandalized the Victorian public, but his large-scale works in the manner of Rubens, Titian, and Veronese were more acceptable.