Edward Angelo Goodall: Life & Legacy

Early Life and Training

• Born: Leeds, United Kingdom on September 17, 1795.
• Goodall was largely self-taught as an artist, beginning his practice at the age of sixteen. He simultaneously pursued both engraving and painting.
• His early work caught the attention of J.M.W. Turner around 1822 or 1823, marking a pivotal moment in his career.

Artistic Development and Influences

• Key Influence: J.M.W. Turner profoundly influenced Goodall’s artistic direction, leading him to specialize in landscape engraving.
• Goodall's style evolved through meticulous observation and self-directed study, focusing on detailed representation and atmospheric effects.
• He became renowned for his ability to translate Turner’s paintings into precise and evocative engravings.

Major Works and Achievements

• Engravings after Turner: Goodall is most celebrated for his plates based on the works of J.M.W. Turner, showcasing exceptional technical skill.
• Illustrative Work: He created vignettes for Samuel Rogers’s Italy and Poems, and illustrations for Thomas Campbell’s Poems.
• Diverse Subjects: While specializing in landscapes, Goodall also engraved figure subjects after paintings by his son, Frederick Goodall, including works like “The Angel's Whisper” and “The Soldier's Dream.”
• Other Notable Engravings: He produced plates for publications such as The Amulet and The Art Journal, demonstrating his versatility.
• Notable paintings include “Near st. Angelo Hal Far”, “Interior of the Mosque of Sultan Hassan, Cairo” and “The Gorge, Ronda, Spain”.

Family Legacy & Artistic Circle

• Artistic Family: Goodall came from a family deeply involved in the arts. His sons, Frederick Goodall, Edward Angelo Goodall Jr., and Walter Goodall, were all members of the Royal Society of Painters in Water-Colours.
• Daughter’s Contribution: His daughter, Eliza Goodall (married name Wild), also exhibited at prestigious institutions like the Royal Academy and British Institution.

Historical Significance & Later Life

• Documenting Victorian Era: Goodall’s work provides valuable insights into Victorian aesthetics, artistic practices, and cultural interests.
• Preserving Turner's Legacy: His engravings played a crucial role in disseminating Turner’s art to a wider audience.
• Death: Edward Angelo Goodall died at Hampstead Road, London, on April 11, 1870.