William Anderson (artist)

William (or Wiliam) Anderson (1757 – 27 May 1837) was a Scottish artist specialising in maritime and patriotic themes.

[1] He was well-regarded for his detailed and accurate portraits of ships under sail, exhibiting his works annually in London between 1787 and 1811 and then occasionally until 1834.

Anderson's early life is obscure, but he is known to have trained as a shipwright before moving to London to become a maritime painter when he was about 30.

[6] His best work was executed in the years 1790–1810, during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, at which time the demand for naval paintings was high.

[2] Like other artists of the time, Anderson's paintings of marine incidents were often based on sketches by participants and were bought by individuals who had risen in social standing and wealth during the wars.

London: Smith, Elder & Co. Media related to William Anderson (painter) at Wikimedia Commons