A Legacy in Portraiture and Watercolour
Frederick Havill was an English artist of the 19th century who contributed to multiple mediums. He is particularly remembered for his role in portraiture and for being a founding member of the modern English school of watercolour. His most active period occurred during the 1840s, leading to his showing at the Royal Academy of Arts in 1849, and he continued to exhibit chiefly through 1874.
His prestigious works are held in notable collections, including the National Portrait Gallery, London, which houses his posthumous portrait of the Scottish physician and pioneer missionary David Livingstone. This oil on canvas was donated by John Lillie in 1896. Other works by Havill are held in the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.
Life and Selected Works
Havill's life saw a transition from Cheltenham to London. Following the death of his first wife, Elizabeth, and his subsequent remarriage in 1865, he established his household in Chelsea until his death in 1884. He was married twice, first to Elizabeth, with whom he had a daughter named Lucy Elizabeth, and later to Catherine Elizabeth Humphreys.
His notable works include:
Questions & Answers
Where are Frederick Havill's artworks grouped by technique?
Frederick Havill's works can be browsed by medium on the artist's All Medium page.
How can I see every artwork made by Frederick Havill?
Every work by Frederick Havill on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.
In which historical period did Frederick Havill work?
Frederick Havill worked in the 19th-Century period. The period situates the artist's activity in history.
How is Frederick Havill's career divided into periods?
A chronological account of Frederick Havill's work is available on the artist's Chronicle page, where the artworks pass in order of creation, chapter by chapter.
