William Denholm Kennedy

William Denholm Kennedy, born at Dumfries on 16 June 1813, was educated in early life at Edinburgh.

Here he began a lifelong friendship with William Etty, RA, who sensibly influenced his style as an artist.

In 1833 he sent his first pictures to the Royal Academy, A Musical Party and The Toilet, and continued to exhibit there almost every year until his death.

In 1835 he won the Academy gold medal for an historical painting, Apollo and Idas, and in 1840, being awarded the travelling allowance, went to Italy, where he spent two years in study at Rome.

He frequently assisted Thomas Willement with designs for stained glass, among others those for the windows in St. Stephen's, Walbrook, London.