James Smetham

James Smetham (1821–1889), English, James Smetham, an English Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood painter and engraver, was born on 9 September 1821 in Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire. Initially apprenticed to architect Edward James Willson in Lincoln, Smetham's passion for art led him to the Royal Academy in 1843. Despite early promise as a portraitist, the rise of photography hindered his progress in this genre, a challenge faced by many of his contemporaries. In 1851, he embraced a teaching role at the Wesleyan Normal College in Westminster, marking the beginning of his tenure as the first Drawing Master for what would evolve into Westminster College, Oxford. Smetham's personal life flourished with his marriage to Sarah Goble, a fellow educator, in 1854, together raising six children.
Smetham's artistic legacy is marked by his versatility across genres, from religious and literary themes to portraiture, yet he is most celebrated for his visionary landscapes, drawing comparisons to William Blake, John Linnell, and Samuel Palmer. Among his prolific output of approximately 430 paintings and 50 etchings, woodcuts, and illustrations, 'The Dream' (1856) stands out, alongside his ambitious masterpiece, 'The Hymn of the Last Supper'. His work often ventured into the unconventional, as seen in 'The Death of Earl Siward', a poignant depiction of the earl's dignified demise. Beyond his visual art, Smetham contributed to the literary world as an essayist and critic, notably advancing William Blake's recognition through a significant 1869 Quarterly Review article. Smetham's life and work remain a testament to the rich tapestry of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, leaving an indelible mark on English art history.