Sir William Russell Flint RA

Sir William Russell Flint (1880 – 1969) Original Paintings are for sale at our gallery.

William Russell Flint was born during 1880 in Edinburgh, he was the eldest son of Francis W Flint, a commercial artist.

Educated at Daniel Stewart College William left school at 14 and was apprenticed to a firm of lithographers in Edinburgh. He worked as a draughtsman and in 1895 began evening classes at the Royal Institution School of Art. In 1900 William Russell Flint fine artist moved to London. Where he was initially employed as a medical illustrator and subsequently by the Illustrated London News from 1903-07. Studying in the evenings at Hatherley’s School of Art. It was at the instigation of Thomas Hatherley that Flint devoted himself to watercolour.

Flint

An enormously successful artist Flint first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1906. Subsequently in Venice from 1909 to 1914 and this latter year exhibited in Berlin views of his travels in France and Italy 1912 to 1913.

He was awarded a silver medal at the Paris Salon of 1912. However at this same period Flint was commissioned to illustrate a number of classic editions, for among others Philip Lee Warner, including Thomas Mallory’s Morte D’Arthur and Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.

Royal Academy

He had been elected a member of the Royal Watercolour Society in 1917, and in 1924. After exhibiting only three oils, was elected Associate of the Royal Academy. However receiving full membership in 1933 and later serving as a trustee 1943-55. Likewise Flint was appointed a member of the Royal Society of Painters in 1931.

Flint served as President of the Royal Society of Painters in Watercolour 1936-56. However he was knighted for his services to art in 1947. In 1962 Flint was accorded the rare distinction. Shared by only 5 other Royal Academicians, of being granted an exhibition of his work in the Diploma Galleries at the Royal Academy. A tribute to his status as one of the foremost British artists of the 20th century.

Success

Sir William Russell Flints success and lasting reputation lie in his extraordinary ability to portray the female form. Whether in oil, tempera or watercolour. In a career spanning 70 years his virtuoso technique allowed him to depict his vision of beauty. His works can be found in many museums including Walker Art Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

We always hold a great selection of works by William Russell Flint however please contact us beforehand to check stock.