William Clarke Wontner facts for kids

William Clarke Wontner (born January 17, 1857 – died September 23, 1930) was an English artist. He was known for painting portraits. His style was influenced by Academic Classicism and Romanticism, which were popular art movements.

About William Clarke Wontner

The Fair Persian (1916)

Frederic William Henry Myers

William Clarke Wontner was born in Stockwell, Surrey, England. His father, William Hoff Wontner, was an architect and designer. William learned about art from his father from a young age.

He also worked with John William Godward, another famous painter. Godward was known for his Greco-Roman style of art. He was a friend of the Wontner family, and he and William became good friends too.

Around 1885, Wontner started teaching art. He taught at the St John's Wood Art School. He was part of the neo-classical art movement in England. This movement was led by another well-known artist, Lawrence Alma-Tadema.

His Art Style

Wontner's paintings often showed people in Eastern-style clothes. He was very good at painting fabrics. Even though his models were European, his paintings looked like they were from the East. This style is called Orientalism.

His artwork was shown in many important places. He exhibited at the Royal Academy starting in 1879. His paintings were also displayed at the Society of British Artists. He showed his work at the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours too.

When the Grosvenor Gallery closed in 1890, Wontner began showing his art at the New Gallery.

Family Life

On June 7, 1894, William Wontner married Jessie Marguerite Keene. They did not have any children.

Wontner passed away on September 23, 1930, at the Worcester Infirmary. He was buried in Ripple, Worcestershire, three days later.

Paintings by Wontner

• 

  A Beauty in Eastern costume, 1916-1925

• 

  Lady of Baghdad, 1900

See also

• List of Orientalist artists
• Orientalism