Sir Augustus Wall Callcott RA Preparatory Study, Labouring Figure

Sir Augustus Wall Callcott RA (1779–1844)

This drawing forms part of a small collection of sketches by Sir Augustus Wall Callcott RA (1779–1844) that we have for sale. Callcott was born at Kensington Gravel Pits (now known as Notting Hill Gate). His first study was music and he sang for several years in the choir of Westminster Abbey, but aged twenty he became a student of the Royal Academy, and began his artistic career as a painter of portraits under the tuition of John Hoppner.

He built a strong reputation as a landscape, river and coastal painter and was in 1806 elected an associate of the Royal Academy, and in 1810 a full Academician. The skill and diligence of his compositions meant that they were not prolific in number; from 1805 to 1810 he exhibited about four pictures a year, in 1811 ten pictures, and in 1812, six. From that year to 1822 he exhibited only seven works in all.

On the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837, Callcott received the honour of knighthood, and in 1843 he succeeded William Seguier as Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures. Callcott was a close associate of, and highly regarded by, J.M.W. Turner.

In 1827 Callcott married the writer Maria Graham, the widow of Captain Graham, RN. His brother, John Wall Callcott, was a noted composer.

Works by Sir Augustus Wall Callcott can be found in the collections of the Tate, V&A and the University of Oxford.