William Oliver RI (1804–1853) was a landscape painter in oils and watercolour. He was a founding member of the New Watercolor Society. Popular in his time, he was known for his lively and realistic depictions of picturesque Grand Tour views. He travelled in England, France, Italy and Switzerland, but was especially fond of the Pyrenean area of France and Spain. He preferred to work en plein air and he completed many small studies of the towns and villages in the Pyrenees, many of which were then purchased by young travellers as souvenirs of their Grand Tour.
He also undertook a number of large and important commissions during his career, and he exhibited at the Royal Academy (1835–1853), British Institute, Suffolk Street, New Watercolour Society and elsewhere. In 1840 he married Emma Eburne, who was an artist and student of his. She too specialised in landscape painting and exhibited at numerous public exhibitions.
Oliver's works can be found in the collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, Sheffield Art Gallery and Sunderland Art Gallery.
