William Byrne made etchings and engravings of landscapes after contemporary artists. At 22 he won a premium of 25 guineas from the Society of Arts. From 1769 to 1772 he worked for Johann Georg Wille in Paris. After returning to the UK he became a prosperous engraver and publisher. He exhibited from 1766 to 1780 and was elected a fellow of the Incorporated Society of Artists. With watercolourist Thomas Hearne he produced the series of engravings for ‘The Antiquities of Great Britain’ (1778-06). Among his pupils were Samuel Middiman and Johann Gottlieb Schumann. Byrne married twice and had five children, all of whom became painters and / or engravers. Byrne died suddenly at his home in Titchfield Street, Westminster, at about the age of 62.

Places

England, Berkshire

Subjects

shepherd, topography, landscape C19th, townscape/cityscape, tree, sheep, river, hill, man, woman, basket, church, tower

Materials & Techniques

engraving, coloured engraving

Artist

William, (of Oxford) Turner (1789 - 1862)
William Byrne (1743 - 1805)

Title

Newbury from Speen Hill

Date

published 1 January 1805

Medium

Coloured engraving

Acquisition

Purchased from Sotheby's, 22 February 1977

GAC number

13108