Artists Profile

William Daniell

(1749 - 1840)

William Daniell and his uncle Thomas Daniell were renowned European ‘company school’ whose range and quality were surpassed by none in the likes of their contemporaries. They spent 10 years travelling extensively in India between 1786 and 1793. From the mountains of the north to the previously unexplored jungles of the south, the striking realism of their work bought to the British public an unrivalled view of mesmerizing landscapes, grand architecture and people of the beautiful sub-continent. The Daniell’s were gifted artists in oils and watercolour’s and excelled in the aquatint technique. Thomas Daniell trained at the Royal Academy, London and William Daniell’s was his apprentice. William was notable for his mastery of the aquatint printmaking technique. Upon their return to England, they produced a series of aquatints in six volumes published under the title Oriental Scenery. The viewers were enamored, making it a great success.

In 1795, William Daniell entered the Royal Academy Schools and exhibited many of his series there till 1838. He was also a prolific printmaker and produced countless illustrations for historical and travel works and published volumes on the natural world. His most celebrated work is, A Voyage Round Great Britain that includes 308 prints of coastal views. In 1820, the Sketches representing the native tribes, animals and scenery of Southern Africa was published that saw his shift from topographical observations to a rather Eurocentric fascination with ‘oriental’ life and ‘exotic’ demographic of the East.