William Page Temple of Olympian Zeus, Agrigento, Sicily

William Page (1794–1872): Drawing Master, Italy & Greece

This drawing is one of an interesting collection of sixteen works by or attributed to William Page (1794–1872) that we have for sale.

William Page was a landscape painter, watercolourist and traveller, best known for views of the people and antiquities of Greece. He attended the Royal Academy schools in 1812 to 1813 and in 1816 exhibited views of North Wales. Page is thought to have travelled to Greece and Asia Minor in 1819–21, and perhaps returned in 1826–31, during which time he also visited Turkey. He is known to have travelled extensively in Italy, and passed through Switzerland.

The collection includes two views in Sicily, one of which is signed and the other matches the size and lettering of a Constantinople view by Page in the V&A. Whilst Page painted many views in Italy, these subjects in Sicily are an interesting addition to his oeuvre. The collection also includes a striking view at the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion in Greece, the country with which the Page is most importantly associated.

William Page, along with J.M.W. Turner, contributed illustrations for Finden's Landscape Illustrations to the Life and Works of Byron, published by John Murray in London, 1832–4. Turner had never visited Greece so based some of his subjects on working sketches by Page.

William Page was also an accomplished drawing master. One of the drawings in the collection has the inscription 'Mrs C.J.' and is a copy of a signed sketch by Page in the British Museum—a sketch that is part of a group of works related to a pupil, Harriet Pemberton. The drawings in our collection were perhaps owned by another pupil and offer interesting insight into Page's role as a teacher. The collection presents an interesting opportunity to acquire works that could further our understanding of this under-researched artist.