the collector's folio

Luke Fildes Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Luke Fildes our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Luke Fildes · 1844 – 1927

John Knowles, JP, DL, CA

Salford Museum - Art Gallery, Greater Manchester · original 117 x 85 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$43885 × 117 cm Commission at original size

Edward VII (1841–1910)

1901 · st Bartholomew’s Hospital Museum And Archive, Лондон · original 259 x 216 cm

Admire Samuel Luke Fildes’ iconic 1901 portrait of Edward VII. A masterful Royal Academy painting capturing the King's dignity. Hand-painted reproduction available.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17525 × 40 cm Commission this artwork

Leopold Charles Maurice Stennet Amery (1873–1955), CH, Exhibitioner (1892), Honorary Fellow (1946), Secretary of State for India (1940–1945)

View the most popular artwork of Luke Fildes ranked #3: Leopold Charles Maurice Stennet Amery (1873–1955), CH, Exhibitioner (1892), Honorary Fellow (1946), Secretary of State for India (1940–1945)

1925 · Balliol College, Oxford · original 107 x 86 cm

Samuel Luke Fildes’ portrait of Leopold Amery showcases Victorian realism & authority. Explore this 1925 oil painting's dramatic chiaroscuro and symbolic details.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$41686 × 107 cm Commission at original size

George V (1865–1936)

1913 · Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool · original 280 x 183 cm

Admire Samuel Luke Fildes' masterful portrait of King George V (1913), rendered in rich hues and textured brushstrokes—a testament to Victorian realism and social observation.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17525 × 40 cm Commission this artwork

Fanny, Lady Fildes

1887 · Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool · original 144 x 97 cm

Samuel Luke Fildes’ "Fanny, Lady Fildes" (1887) captures a Victorian portrait of elegance and poise. Admire the intricate details & realism in this stunning oil painting depicting Lady Fildes' refined beauty.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17525 × 40 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$55597 × 144 cm Commission at original size

The Honourable Ethel Louise Forbes Leith (1872–1930), Lady Forbes Leith

1906 · The National Trust For Scotland, Turrief · original 140 x 107 cm

The Honourable Ethel Louise Forbes Leith (1872–1930), Lady Forbes Leith

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$584107 × 140 cm Commission at original size

The Widower

1904 · Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool · original 66 x 94 cm

Samuel Luke Fildes’ ‘The Widower’ (1904) is a poignant Realist oil painting depicting poverty & familial love. Explore this powerful social commentary on Victorian England.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$25038 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$40394 × 66 cm Commission at original size

George V

Parliamentary Art Collection, Лондон

Admire 'George V' by Samuel Luke Fildes – a captivating portrait of the British monarch. This detailed painting captures his regal presence, showcasing Victorian artistry and royal history.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17526 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Naomi

1914 · Guildhall Art Gallery, London

Explore Samuel Luke Fildes’ poignant portrait of Naomi (1914), capturing quiet introspection and subtle melancholy through masterful realism and muted earth tones. The painting depicts a woman adorned with a veil, gazing downwards against a dark backdrop, accompanied by two figures—a reflection of Victorian social life and artistic sensitivity. Discover more about Fildes' legacy and his contributi

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

HM King Edward VII (1841–1910), Protector of the Craft

1902 · The Library And Museum of Freemasonry, London · original 292 x 178 cm

Coronation portraits of the British monarch King Edward VII and his consort Queen Alexandra are portrait paintings from the 1900s by the British artist Luke Fildes depicting the King and Queen in their coronation robes. Their coronation had taken place on 9 August 1902 at Westminster Abbey. The new king had inherited the crown from his mother Queen Victoria in 1901 at the age of 59. Coronation por

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17524 × 42 cm Commission this artwork

George V (1865–1936)

The Royal Hospital Chelsea, London · original 214 x 150 cm

Samuel Luke Fildes' 'George V' (1911-12) is a regal oil painting capturing King George V with meticulous realism & symbolic detail, reflecting Victorian grandeur and royal authority.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1078150 × 214 cm Commission at original size

HM King Edward VII, Protector of the Craft

1902 · The Library And Museum of Freemasonry, London

A Life Etched in Realism: The World of Samuel Luke FildesBorn amidst the bustling port city of Liverpool in 1843, Samuel Luke Fildes emerged as a pivotal figure bridging Victorian illustration and painting. His lineage hinted at a life steeped in both artistry and social consciousness; he was the grandson of Mary Fildes, a dedicated political activist whose commitment to reform would subtly permea

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17524 × 42 cm Commission this artwork

Sir Frederick Treves, 1st Bt

1896 · National Portrait Gallery, London · original 47.0 x 34.3cm

This dignified 1896 oil portrait by Luke Fildes captures a medical professional with academic realism. Shop this exquisite reproduction today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$19334 × 47 cm Commission at original size

Self-portrait

1911 · Royal Academy of Arts, London · original 91.8 x 71.4cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$33971 × 92 cm Commission at original size

Sir Felix (John Morgan) Brunner (1897–1982), 3rd Bt, as an Artillery Officer

1914 · National Trust, Thames · original 75 x 57 cm

Samuel Luke Fildes Admire Samuel Luke Fildes’ masterful depiction of Sir Felix Brunner as an artillery officer – a poignant portrait capturing Victorian realism and social consciousness. Explore this iconic artwork at ArtsDot.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$27257 × 75 cm Commission at original size

Naomi

1914 · Guildhall Art Gallery, London · original 65 x 50 cm

Explore Samuel Luke Fildes’ poignant portrait of Naomi (1914), capturing quiet introspection and subtle melancholy through masterful realism and muted earth tones.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$24250 × 65 cm Commission at original size

Adoration

Harris Museum - Art Gallery, Preston · original 61 x 45 cm

A captivating portrait of a woman with an expression of curious surprise by Victorian master Samuel Luke Fildes, offering a poignant glimpse into social realism that you can bring to your private collection.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$22745 × 61 cm Commission at original size

The Doctor

1891

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17538 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

The widower

1875 · Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney · original 168.9 x 248.3cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$27538 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1461248 × 169 cm Commission at original size

Henry Woods

1905

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Mrs. Robert Borwick

1890

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17526 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Queen Alexandra, when Princess of Wales

1893 · original 147.5 x 104.5cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$597105 × 148 cm Commission at original size

Edward VII

1901 · st Bartholomew-s Hospital Museum And Archive, London · original 259 x 216 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

King Edward VII (1841-1910)

1901 · original 265.7 x 170.1cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17525 × 40 cm Commission this artwork

Sir Frederick Treves (1853–1923)

1896 · Barts And The London Queen Mary School of Medicine And Dentistry, London · original 138 x 109 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 91 artworks by Luke Fildes
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$586109 × 138 cm Commission at original size

The artist

Luke Fildes

1844 – 1927

Quick facts

Best occasionsaccent
Room fitliving room
Mediumsoil on canvas, acrylic on canvas
Creative periodsmature period
Top-ranked workJohn Knowles, JP, DL, CA
Typical colorsespresso
Topics exploredvictorian era, portraiture, men, royalty, social commentary
Corpus themesvictorian social critique, victorian values, domestic tranquility, social observation, social realism influence

Biography

A Life Etched in Realism: The World of Samuel Luke Fildes

Born amidst the bustling port city of Liverpool in 1843, Samuel Luke Fildes emerged as a pivotal figure bridging Victorian illustration and painting. His lineage hinted at a life steeped in both artistry and social consciousness; he was the grandson of Mary Fildes, a dedicated political activist whose commitment to reform would subtly permeate his own artistic vision. Early experiences shaped young Luke’s path – a childhood spent observing the vibrant energy and underlying hardships of maritime Liverpool, followed by formal training that began at Warrington School of Art in 1860. This foundational period led him to South Kensington (later the Royal College of Art) and the prestigious Royal Academy Schools, where he forged lasting connections with fellow artists like Hubert von Herkomer and Frank Holl. However, it was the influence of Frederick Walker, a leading light of the social realist movement, that truly ignited Fildes’ artistic direction, instilling in him a desire to depict life as it *was*, not merely as it appeared to be. The young artist absorbed Walker’s commitment to portraying everyday struggles with honesty and empathy, a principle that would define much of his early work.

From Graphic Detail to Painted Narrative

Fildes initially found his voice – and an audience – through illustration. In 1869, he joined the staff of The Graphic, a groundbreaking illustrated newspaper edited by William Luson Thomas. This wasn’t merely a job; it was immersion in a world where art served as a powerful tool for social commentary. The Graphic's commitment to exposing societal ills resonated deeply with Fildes, and he quickly became known for his unflinching depictions of poverty and injustice. His work during this period wasn’t simply about documenting hardship; it was about humanizing those often rendered invisible by society. A pivotal moment arrived when Charles Dickens himself commissioned Fildes to illustrate the unfinished novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood, following a particularly poignant illustration of Dickens' empty chair after his death – an image that captured the nation’s grief and established Fildes’ reputation. This commission, alongside illustrations for other prominent periodicals like The Sunday Magazine, The Cornhill Magazine, and The Gentleman's Magazine, solidified his position as a leading illustrator of his time. The wood-engraving “Houseless and Hungry,” depicting the desperate plight of London’s homeless, brought him to Dickens’ attention and became emblematic of his early commitment to social realism. It was a stark reminder of the realities faced by many in Victorian England, and Fildes’ ability to convey this with such raw emotion set him apart.

A Shift in Medium: Embracing Oil and Expanding Vision

By 1870, Fildes felt a growing pull towards oil painting, a medium that allowed for greater nuance and depth than illustration. This transition marked a turning point in his career, as he began to establish himself not just as a skilled recorder of social realities but as a painter capable of capturing the complexities of human emotion and experience. He quickly rose through the ranks of the English art world, gaining recognition for works like The Casual Ward (1874), a stark portrayal of life within a workhouse; The Widower (1876), a deeply moving depiction of grief and loss; and The Village Wedding (1883), which offered a more optimistic, yet still grounded, view of rural life. His artistic horizons expanded beyond social commentary to encompass scenes of Venetian life – reflecting a growing fascination with light, color, and atmosphere – and an increasingly sought-after talent for portraiture. He became particularly renowned for his portraits commemorating the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, demonstrating his ability to capture both regal dignity and individual character. This period saw Fildes masterfully blending realism with a more refined aesthetic sensibility, showcasing his versatility as an artist.

Recognition, Legacy, and Lasting Influence

Fildes’ artistic achievements were met with increasing acclaim throughout his career. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy (A.R.A.) in 1879 and a full Royal Academician (R.A.) in 1887, solidifying his position within the established art world. In 1906, he received the honor of knighthood from King Edward VII, and later, in 1918, was appointed Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) by King George V. Beyond official recognition, Fildes also explored a lighter side to his artistry, producing caricatures under the pseudonym “Elf” for Vanity Fair. He became recognized as a leader of the Neo-Venetian school alongside Henry Woods, showcasing a shared passion for capturing the unique atmosphere and light of Venice. His personal life was equally fulfilling; he married Fanny Woods, sister to his friend Henry, in 1874, and together they had two sons, Philip and Sir Paul Fildes – the latter becoming an eminent scientist. Perhaps one of the most striking examples of his enduring influence is the inspiration his illustration of Dickens’ empty chair provided to Vincent van Gogh, leading to the creation of Van Gogh's iconic painting The Yellow Chair. Even in later years, his work continued to resonate – notably when his 1891 masterpiece, The Doctor, was used in a 1949 American Medical Association campaign, demonstrating the power of art to shape public discourse. Samuel Luke Fildes left behind a legacy not only as a gifted painter and illustrator but as an artist who dared to confront social realities while simultaneously celebrating the beauty and complexity of human life. His work continues to resonate with audiences today, offering a poignant glimpse into Victorian society and the enduring power of art to inspire empathy and understanding.

Questions & Answers

Which artworks by Luke Fildes are the most viewed?

Statistics about Luke Fildes's works are available on the artist's Stats page.

How can I see every artwork made by Luke Fildes?

Every work by Luke Fildes on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.

Is there a chronological account of Luke Fildes?

The Chronicle of Luke Fildes is a scroll-driven timeline that presents the artist's works in chronological order, grouped into career-period chapters.

By the ArtsDot.com Editorial Team Updated Sept. 1, 2026

Collector's quiz

Samuel Luke Fildes initially gained recognition through what medium?
Which newspaper significantly launched Fildes' career as an illustrator, focusing on social commentary?
What novel did Charles Dickens commission Fildes to illustrate before his death?
Fildes' painting 'The Doctor' (1891) was inspired by a personal experience related to:
What artistic movement heavily influenced Fildes' early work?

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