William Mulready facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Mulready
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1860s albumen print portrait
by Cundall, Downes & Co |
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| Born | 1 April 1786 |
| Died | 7 July 1863 (aged 77) Bayswater, London, England
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| Nationality | Irish |
William Mulready RA (born April 1, 1786 – died July 7, 1863) was an Irish painter. He lived in London and was known for painting everyday scenes. He also designed special Mulready stationery letter sheets. These were released at the same time as the famous Penny Black postage stamp.
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About William Mulready's Life
William Mulready was born in Ennis, County Clare, Ireland. When he was young, in 1792, his family moved to London. There, he received a good education. He learned painting so well that he was accepted into the Royal Academy School at age 14.
In 1802, he married Elizabeth Varley. She was also a landscape painter. Her family included well-known artists. Her brothers were John Varley, Cornelius Varley, and William Fleetwood Varley.
William and Elizabeth had three sons: Paul Augustus, William, and Michael. All three also became artists. However, William and Elizabeth's marriage became difficult over time, and they separated. His son, William Mulready Junior (1805–1878), became a portrait painter. One of William Junior's sons, Augustus Edwin Mulready (1844–1904), became a successful artist too.
William Mulready's Art Career
Many of Mulready's early paintings showed landscapes. But from 1808, he became known for painting everyday scenes. These often showed rural life. He also drew pictures for children's books. These included Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb in 1807. He also illustrated The Butterfly's Ball, and the Grasshopper's Feast by William Roscoe.
Mulready's paintings were very popular during the Victorian era. His important painting, Returning from the Ale House, was shown in 1809. It is now called Fair Time and is in the Tate Gallery in London.
In 1815, he became an Associate of the Royal Academy. The next year, in 1816, he became a full Royal Academician (R.A.). He also received the French "Légion d'honneur" award that same year. Many of Mulready's most important paintings are in the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Tate Gallery. The Victoria and Albert Museum has 33 of his works. These include Hampstead Heath (1806) and Choosing the Wedding Gown (1846). The Tate Gallery has five of his paintings, including a Snow Scene.
In 1840, Mulready designed special illustrations for postal stationery. These were called Mulready stationery. They were launched by the Royal Mail at the same time as the Penny Black stamp. These designs were printed on special lettersheets. People could fold and seal these sheets to send mail.
However, the new stationery was not very popular. Other companies that made stationery felt their business was threatened. They created many funny drawings, or caricatures, of Mulready's design. Because of this, the Mulready stationery was soon replaced.
William Mulready's Death
William Mulready died in Bayswater, London, when he was 77 years old. He was buried in the nearby Kensal Green Cemetery. A special monument was built there to remember him. The monument was designed by Godfrey Sykes.
See also
- Letter sheet
- List of people on stamps of Ireland
- Mulready stationery
