Arscott, Caroline. “William Powell Frith’s The Railway Station: Classification and the Crowd,” in Mark Bills and Vivien Knight, eds., William Powell Frith: Painting the Victorian Age. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2006, pp. 79-94
William Powell Frith
Born: Aldfield, North Yorkshire, 9 January 1819
Died: London, 2 November 1909
Nationality: English
Died: London, 2 November 1909
Nationality: English
Background:
son of servants and innkeepers
Studies:
Henry Sass's Academy (1835-37, London); Royal Academy (RA) Schools (1837)
Career:
1838 - first exhibition - British Institution
1840 - RA debut with Malvolio before the Countess Olivia (untraced - Shakespeare subject)
1852 - elected member of RA
1854 - exhibits Life at the Seaside, Ramsgate Sands at RA; painting is purchased by Queen Victoria
1858 - exhibits Derby Day at RA
1878 - completes Road to Ruin series of 5 paintings (private collection)
1880 - completes Race for Wealth series of 5 paintings (Valdodara Picture Gallery)
1887 - publishes Autobiography and Reminiscences
1890 - retires from RA
1891 - pubishes John Leech: His Life and Work
1902 - last RA exhibition
Commissions from:
Charles Dickens; Ernest Gambert (art dealer)
Important Artworks:
Life at the Seaside, Ramsgate Sands, 1854 RA exhibition (Royal Collection, London)
Derby Day, 1858 RA (Tate, London)
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