William Calcott Knell

WILLIAM CALCOTT KNELL (England, 1830 - 1880).
"Navy", 1877.
Oil on canvas.
Signed and dated in the lower left corner.
Measurements: 21.5 x 41 cm; 40 x 60 cm (frame).
William Calcott Knell was a British painter specialized in maritime scenes and coastal landscapes, recognized by his representations of boats and marine environments. The son of William Adolphus Knell, also a naval painter, he inherited from him an interest in marine painting, as well as a solid technical training visible in the composition and execution of his works. Knell developed a style focused primarily on coastal views with fishing boats and sailing vessels. His painting stands out for its ability to capture the variations of light and weather throughout the day, sensitively recreating the effects of wind, choppy waters or the calm of sunsets over the sea. Influenced also by other contemporary artists of the British marine school, he knew how to combine technical precision and a remarkable attention to the natural atmosphere.
Between 1848 and 1865 he regularly presented his works at important London art institutions, such as the Royal Academy, the Society of British Artists and the British Institution, consolidating his prestige within Victorian maritime painting.