The directory «Artists»

Wyllie William Lionel
(1851—1931)

The distinguised sea-painter W. L. Wyllie was born in London, but is most closely associated with Rochester and the Medway, and later with Portsmouth. He was born into an artistic family (C. W. Wyllie was also fairly well known), and trained at Heatherley's Academy, and then at the Royal Academy Schools, where he first exhibited in 1868. During the mid-1870s he spent much time on a barge, converted into a floating studio, going up and down the Thames. In 1889 he was elected ARA. He became a full Academician in 1907.

From the latter part of the 1880s, Wyllie lived for some years near Rochester, and somewhat after the turn of the century, moved to Portsmouth.

As well as marine paintings, Wyllie also painted ship portraits, and especially pictures of Navy battleships. His largest work was historical - the Battle of Trafalgar, which is in the museum in Portsmouth. Apart from being a painter, Wyllie was a noted etcher, and in the 1880s he produced illustrative work on a nautical theme for the magazines of the day.

Isle of Man, 2005, Prepare to the Battle; Victory in Sight

Kiribati, 2005, Battle of Trafalgar

Nauru, 2005, Battle of Trafalgar

Tristan da Cunha, 2005, Battle of Trafalgar