William i Shayer "The Old Man

WILLIAM I SHAYER "THE OLD MAN" (Southampton, England, 1787-1879).
"Fishermen and animals on the beach", 1844.
Oil on canvas. Relined.
Signed and dated in the lower left corner.
Measurements: 46 x 63 cm; 65 x 82 cm (frame).

The painter William Shayer "the Elder" specialized in rural landscapes, genre scenes and animal painting, especially horses. He was born in Southampton and developed an oeuvre closely linked to the British country landscape of the 19th century. His paintings usually depict roads, inns, markets, carriages, fishermen and scenes of daily life in the countryside, with a calm and detailed atmosphere. He worked in the English Romantic tradition and was noted for his ability to paint animals with great naturalism. He was also the father and teacher of several painters, among them William Joseph Shayer.