User:Jamesbiggs66/William Shayer Sr

William Shayer Sr (1788-1879) was an English landscape and animal painter born in Southampton in 1788 His initial career as a painter was not a glamorous one – painting decorations on the bottom of chairs, however he soon left Southampton and moved to Gilford where he began work as a carriage painter.

While in Gilford his reputation began to grow, and in 1814 Shayer was commissioned to paint the funeral art badge for the Duke of Richmond. Shayer also gained a notable commission to chalk a design on the floor for a ball held by the Queen’s Royal Regiment celebrating the overthrow of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Shayer’s private life was a busy one too; he had five children by his first wife Sarah, and then five more by his second wife Elizabeth. Obviously, with ten children to look after Shayer’s finances were often tight, however this soon began to change in 1827 when the Hampshire Gallery opened. In its first year Shayer exhibited in all three exhibitions, and began selling his works regularly, proving to be one of the most desired artists at the gallery.

From 1820 to 1943, Shayer also regularly exhibited at the Royal Academy and the British Institute.

Four of Shayer Sr’s sons became artists with William Joseph Shayer (1811-1892) and Henry Thring Shayer (1825–1894) being the most well known.

Examples of Shayer Sr’s works include:


 * Milking
 * A Village Festival
 * The Young Fisherman
 * Harvest