the collector's folio

William Staveley Most Popular Paintings

The 12 artworks by William Staveley 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 · 12 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide William Staveley · 1928 – 1997

Admiral Viscount Keith (1747–1823), GCB

Scottish Police College, Kincardinshire · original 78 x 69 cm

Admire Admiral Viscount Keith’s portrait by William Staveley! This 18th-century masterpiece showcases rich detail & dignified style. A stunning historical artwork for collectors.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17530 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$30469 × 78 cm Commission at original size

George Keith Elphinstone (1746–1823), Viscount Keith, Admiral (after George Sanders) (detail)

View the most popular artwork of William Staveley ranked #2: George Keith Elphinstone (1746–1823), Viscount Keith, Admiral (after George Sanders) (detail)

original 76 x 64 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17532 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$28964 × 76 cm Commission at original size

Jane Duff of Hatton

1790 · original 76 x 64 cm

Discover William Staveley’s ‘Jane Duff of Hatton’ (1790) – a stunning 18th-century portrait showcasing realistic detail & classical style. Explore this captivating oil painting now!

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17529 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$28964 × 76 cm Commission at original size

Dr Gregory Grant

1796 · original 77 x 63 cm

1796 portrait of Dr. Gregory Grant by William Staveley. Dramatic oil painting showcasing formal 18th-century style, rich textures & striking lighting. A captivating historical piece.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17529 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$28963 × 77 cm Commission at original size

Ann Bealby

original 77 x 64 cm

Admire 'Ann Bealby' by William Staveley – a captivating 18th-century portrait. Hand-painted reproductions available. Discover British art history & elevate your collection.

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

from$17529 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$29164 × 77 cm Commission at original size

George Home of Paxton

1796 · original 20 x 16 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

William Craig

original 16 x 13 cm

Exquisite portrait of William Craig by william staveley (1928-1997). A detailed 18th/19th century classical style painting, showcasing realism & subtle lighting. Perfect for art collectors.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Alexander Abercromby (1784–1853)

original 20 x 16 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17529 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Henry MacKenzie (1745–1831)

original 16 x 13 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Sir James Grant (1738–1811), Member of Parliament

1797 · original 20 x 17 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Sir John Turner Dryden (1752–1797), 1st Bt of Canons Ashby and 4th Bt of Ambrosden

1795 · original 28 x 23 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Henry Mackenzie (1745–1831), Novelist and Essayist

1795 · original 20 x 17 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

William Staveley

1928 – 1997

Quick facts

Born1928, United Kingdom
Art periodModern
Works on APS13
Top-ranked workAdmiral Viscount Keith (1747–1823), GCB
Color intensitymonochromatic
Museums on APSScottish Police College
Lifespan69 years
Copyright statusUnder copyright

Biography

The Delicate Precision of William Staveley

In the annals of British portraiture, few names evoke as much quiet reverence and historical intrigue as William Staveley. A figure emerging from the late Georgian era, Staveley’s life was a brief but brilliant flash of artistic mastery. Born in Edinburgh around 1785, his early years were shaped by an elite education, moving from the prestigious halls of Eton College to the scholarly environment of Oxford University. While much of his personal biography remains shrouded in the mists of time, his canvases speak with a clarity that defies his relative obscurity. He possessed a rare, innate ability to transcend mere likeness, capturing not just the physical features of the Scottish nobility, but the very soul and psychological depth of his subjects.

Stavely’s artistic development was deeply rooted in the classical traditions of his predecessors. He did not merely observe the masters; he internalized their very essence. By meticulously studying the works of Rembrandt and Joshua Reynolds, Staveley mastered the sophisticated technique of chiaroscuro. This dramatic interplay between light and shadow became the hallmark of his oeuvre, allowing him to sculpt faces out of darkness and imbue skin tones with a lifelike warmth. Unlike many of his contemporaries who sought to overwhelm the viewer with grandiosity and ostentatious displays of wealth, Staveley pursued an aesthetic of understated elegance. His brushwork favored accuracy and subtlety, finding profound beauty in the quiet nuances of a gaze or the gentle fold of a silk garment.

A Legacy Captured in Light and Shadow

The breadth of Staveley’s contribution to the portraiture of his era is best understood through his most celebrated commissions. His work served as a vital record for the wealthy Scottish families and prominent figures of the period, acting as a window into the social hierarchies and intellectual currents of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Each portrait was a carefully constructed narrative of dignity and grace.

Among his most enduring achievements are works that showcase his remarkable anatomical precision and emotional sensitivity:

George Home of Paxton: A captivating depiction of the Earl that stands as a testament to Staveley's ability to balance formal grandeur with nuanced human expression.
Henry Mackenzie: In this portrait, the artist captures the contemplative and thoughtful gaze of the author, demonstrating a profound empathy for his sitter’s intellectual character.
Jane Duff of Hatton: A stunning example of his 1790s period, where his mastery of realistic detail and classical style is on full display.
Dr. Gregory Grant: A 1796 masterpiece that utilizes rich textures and striking lighting to create a sense of historical weight and formal importance.
Sir James Grant: A portrait that exemplifies the artist's dedication to portraying his subjects with an unwavering sense of dignity.

Though Staveley’s life was tragically cut short by his death in 1808, the impact of his brief career remains palpable. He left behind a collection of works that do more than simply document faces; they preserve the spirit of an age. Through his disciplined use of light and his commitment to the truth of the human countenance, William Staveley secured his place as a master of Scottish portraiture, leaving an indelible mark on the history of British art.

Questions & Answers

Where can I see William Staveley's artworks in chronological order?

The artist's Artwork Timeline page presents William Staveley's works ordered by date, year by year.

Can I explore William Staveley's works by color spectrum?

The Spectral Index of William Staveley is a page that organizes the artist's artworks by their colors.

In which movements did William Staveley work?

The All Movements page groups William Staveley's artworks by art movement.

By the ArtsDot.com Editorial Team Updated Sept. 25, 2026

Collector's quiz

one You choose the size

Standard formats or any custom dimension, matched to the proportions of the original.

two We paint and send a preview

A photo of the finished canvas for your approval before it is shipped.

three Delivered, certified

Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

Commission your William Staveley

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All artworks by William Staveley