William Edward Webb (1862-1903).
While most artists make a choice as to the distinct genre they choose to work in, for others, it is as if the decision were pre-ordained, there is a sense of inevitability that would manifest into the ‘necessity’ to produce works that depict specific compositional scenes, perhaps a calling by any other name.
William Edward Webb was born not on the coast, but in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in 1862, his father was a printer and an artist, and perhaps this is where he received his initial guidance. Following the death of his mother, his father Benjamin Webb would remarry, and it was at this point the family moved to Manchester, sometime after 1871 and it is here that William Edward Webb would remain.
By the 1880’s and still in his early twenties Webb had already established himself as an artist and later he would go on to create his own studio in the Exchange Buildings, St Mary’s Gate, Manchester, where he would exhibit many works during his lifetime. He would also have his work seen beyond his ‘hometown’, not least, the Royal Academy London and the Walker Gallery, Liverpool, after 1892.
In 1899 he would marry Clara Foster, and the couple would live in the South of the city, Chorlton Upon Medlock, with their daughter Florrie. Webb would nevertheless travel far and wide to capture marine inspired compositions depicting both the people, sea, and shoreside hubbub, dramatically unfolding the lives of those who lived and worked in what was so often a hostile environment.
As with so many before him, commercial success was not forthcoming during his lifetime, but would nonetheless be achieved posthumously, partly due to his work receiving greater exposure along the South coast, an area he was no stranger to, having completed works of Falmouth, Cornwall, Poole and the home of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth. More recently in the 1970’s his works were exhibited in the sailing capital of the UK, Lymington, Hampshire, the Solent being the epicentre of sailing and therefore received much interest, and no doubt helped to establish a greater appreciation of how accomplished and undervalued Webb was as an artist.
Photo credit: Galleriedesart.
Looking now at the catalogue raisonné it becomes quickly apparent that Webb understood the inclement British weather and how to depict its effects on both the skyscape with its dark dank heavy overcast skies and the effect of the sea in terms of movement, colour, light, atmosphere and menace. His technique has been described as ‘flowing’, ‘loose and informal’ and no doubt many other adjectives that conjure thoughts of purposeful yet unfussy brushwork that had the ability to reflect an honesty in the composition while retaining real individuality.
Webb as indicated, never achieved any financial success during his lifetime, ofttimes struggling financially and burdened with debt, his private life was also an apparent factor in bringing about his demise. Plagued by illness he struggled to cope with life and suffered from depression an ‘artistic trait’ all too often a characteristic within the arts. The Manchester Evening News would report on his death which occurred on the 9th of November 1903, having sadly committed suicide in his studio, in the Exchange Buildings, he was just 41 years old. Described as ‘a painter in oils’ his dire economic reality was perhaps emphasised with the last two works being sold in 1903, for just six guineas apiece.
William Edward Webb never witnessed his success, in terms of financial recognition or any significant acknowledgement for his artistic ability, and while it may well have taken a hundred years or so to establish such an affirmation, the excellent quality of his work makes that achievement all the more satisfying, that this gifted artist is now being recognised for his significant contribution to British marine painting.
His work is occasionally offered for sale with paintings such as ‘Douglas Harbour’ in the year 2000, achieving £22,000 at an auction sale on the Isle of Man, while more recently in 2005, the work ‘Shipping on the Thames’, was sold by Christie’s of London, for a similar sum.
We at Galleriedesart are honoured to have a work by this artist and have provided a link to the work entitled ‘Shipping in Choppy Waters’ a signed, oil on canvas, which captures the essence of William Edward Webb, and his enduring fascination with the sea.
‘There must be something strangely sacred in salt. It is in our tears and in the sea .
(Kahlil Gibran).
Photo credit: Galleriedesart
William Edward Webb died in Manchester on the 9th November 1903.
(J). Galleriedesart.com.
Photo Credit: Belfast Harbour Commissioners- Similar Composition.