William Collingwood Smith, R.W.S.

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William Collingwood Smith,
R.W.S.
(British, 1815-1887)

Shipping on Lake Lugano

Watercolor over graphite on paper, 3-3/4 x 5-1/2 in (9.5 x 14 cms)

	Provenance: A 19th-century album of watercolors, one section of which devoted to the works of Collingwood Smith; Sotheby's London, April 3, 1996.

	William Collingwood Smith was a precocious youth, born to a father who was a musician and an amateur artist. At the early age of only 21, Smith was already exhibiting at the Royal Academy. His first lessons were given by J. D. Harding and, at the time, he painted both in oils and watercolours preferring marine works to landscapes. This soon changed and he began to paint landscape watercolours almost exclusively. Smith traveled widely in Britain and, in 1852, he made his first journey to the Continent. His success was phenomenal and at one point he had the largest teaching practice in London. Smith's pupils were not only amateurs and future professionals, but included many military and naval officers. He was an active member of the Old Watercolour Society having first been elected as an associate in 1843 and was later to serve as Treasurer and Trustee. Smith also promoted the formation of the Royal Watercolour Society Art Club.