RA Collection: People and Organisations
Born in Chelsea, West London, in 1751, Hamilton spent time studying in Italy before entering the Royal Academy Schools in 1769. Although he had previously studied architectural draughtsmanship, he chose to pursue painting at this time. He exhibited four paintings at the Royal Academy in 1774, and by 1789 was elected as a Royal Academician. In the early part of his career, Hamilton focused on portraitur but he later began to paint subjects from poetry, history and the Bible.
Hamilton was also employed by print galleries to illustrate popular themes and literature. His representations of Shakespearean scenes were not well-received but his rural scenes were fashionable. Perhaps the most popular of these were his illustrations to James Thomson’s The Seasons (1730). This poem describes rural Britain and reflects on the role nature plays as an intermediary between Heaven and Earth. Hamilton’s illustrations, such as The Monarch Swain were published in 1797 engraved by Francesco Bartolozzi RA and P.W. Tomkins. There is a copy of the book in the Royal Academy Library.
Born: 1751 in London, England, United Kingdom
Died: 2 December 1801
Nationality: British
RA Schools student from 14 February 1769
Elected ARA: 8 November 1784
Elected RA: 10 February 1789
Gender: Male
Preferred media: Painting and Illustration
William Hamilton RA
Study for 'The Reaper Returning Home', by 1797
Pencil and pen and ink with wash on laid paper
William Hamilton RA
Vertumnus and Pomona, ca. 1789
Oil on canvas
William Hamilton RA
Fair Emily; The death of Hermigilda; Fair Canace and falcon, 1784
Etching
William Hamilton RA
Hebe, c.1755
Printed in brown.
After William Hamilton RA
The Blackberry Boy, 1 October 1828
Line-engraving on steel
After William Hamilton RA
The Winter of Life
Stipple-engraving
After William Hamilton RA
Celadon & Amelia, [ca. 1830?]
Mezzotint
After William Hamilton RA
The Monarch Swain, 28 March 1796
Stipple-engraving
After William Hamilton RA
The Reaper returning Home
Stipple-engraving
Attributed to William Hamilton RA
Head of one of Euclid's pupils after Raphael's 'School of Athens', probably 1760s
Black chalk on green/grey laid paper
Attributed to William Hamilton RA
Head of a girl, late 18th century
Pencil on off-white laid paper
Attributed to William Hamilton RA
The Farnese Flora, late 18th century
Red chalk on cream laid paper
Attributed to William Hamilton RA
A standing woman in profile, c. 1750?
Black and white chalk on brown laid paper
George Dance RA
Portrait of William Hamilton, R.A., 31 March 1793
Pencil, and chalks with wash on cream laid paper
Henry Singleton
The Royal Academicians in General Assembly, 1795
Oil on canvas
William Shakespeare
The Dramatic Works Of William Shakspeare Revised By George Steevens. Vol. I. (- IX.) - London: -: [1802]
04/3206
A Collection Of Prints, From Pictures Painted For The Purpose Of Illustrating The Dramatic Works Of Shakspeare, By The Artists Of Great-Britain. Volume I. (II.) - London,: [1803]
04/3171
James Thomson
The Seasons, By James Thomson. Illustrated With Engravings By F. Bartolozzi, R.A. And P. W. Tomkins, Historical Engravers to Their Majesties; From Original Pictures painted For The Work By W. Hamilton, R.A. - London:: [1797]
03/2951
George Richardson
Iconology; Or, A Collection Of Emblematical Figures; Containing Four Hundred And Twenty-four Remarkable Subjects, Moral And Instructive; In Which Are Displayed The Beauty Of Virtue And Deformity Of Vice. The Figures Are Engraved By The Most Capital Artists, From Original Designs; With Explanations From Classical Authorities. By George Richardson , Architect. In Two Volumes. Volume First. - London:: [1779]
03/2434
Cuttings from publications concerning the funeral and reputation of Sir Thomas Lawrence
[Jan 1830]
Item LAW/9/71
Thomas Lawrence, to Joseph Farington, Charlotte Street
[11 Mar 1796]
Item LAW/1/78
William Hamilton, to Thomas Lawrence
13 Jul 1794
Item LAW/1/65
William Hamilton , to Thomas Lawrence, Queen's Lodge, Windsor
6 Oct 1789
Item LAW/1/20