Walter Waller Caffyn was a Royal Academy-exhibited painter of naturalistic landscapes.

Caffyn was a proponent of naturalism, capturing the beauty of nature as he saw it, without embellishment or contrivance. Born in Dorking, Surrey, he had inspiration on his doorstep - the picturesque rolling downs, abundant grasslands, and numerous winding rivers. Often, he’d sketch figures working the land, gathering crops and haymaking. Occasionally including farm buildings and carts laden with produce.

Apparently self-taught, he arrived into art a little later than most, beginning his career as a hairdresser. But as the years passed, his style evolved and he established himself as an artist of merit. His later works are reminiscent of his contemporaries, Henry Hillingford Parker (1858-1930) and David Bates (1840-1921), and perhaps Benjamin Williams Leader (1831-1923) was an inspiration.

He possessed a keen eye for the nuances of colouring, which abound in the natural world, and his compositions are often enlivened with a broad palette.

In 1874, he debuted at the Royal Society of British Artists with ‘On the Mole at Norbury’ and two years later, at the Royal Academy with ‘Burghfield Lock on the Kennet’.

But alas, in 1897, with his stock rising, he died prematurely at the age of 47 and we’re left to wonder what he might’ve become.

Caffyn is represented at Birmingham Museum, Dorking Museum and Glasgow Museum.

Exhibited

Royal Academy, Royal Society of British Artists, Royal Institute of Oil Painters.

Public Collections

Birmingham Museum, Dorking Museum and Heritage Centre, Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, Guildford House Gallery, Mole Valley District Council.

Timeline

1845

Born in Dorking, Surrey, to Walter W Caffyn, a hairdresser and perfumer, and Harriet Caffyn.

1851

Lived in Dorking with his parents and sister.

1861

Lived in Dorking with his parents and sisters.

1871

Lived in Dorking with his parents and sister. Occupation recorded as ‘Hairdresser’.

1873

Married Eliza Beagley in Southwark, London.

1874

Debuted at the Royal Society of British Artists with ‘On the Mole at Norbury’.

1876

Debuted at the Royal Academy with ‘Burghfield Lock on the Kennet’. A view in Berkshire. He continued to exhibit until 1897, showing 11 works.

1881

Lived in Dorking with his wife and children. Occupation recorded as ‘Landscape Painter’.

1891

Lived in Dorking with his wife and children. Occupation recorded as ‘Artist (Landscape)’.

1898

Died in Dorking.

Obituaries

The Surrey Times

“A lifelong resident of Dorking passed away on Sunday in the person of Mr Walter W. Caffyn, of 14, Vincent's Road. Deceased had been suffering for some time from heart disease, and the end was not unexpected, but has nevertheless caused general regret in the town. Deceased, who was 47 years of age, was a landscape painter of no mean repute. Some 20 years ago he was successful in getting his first picture hung on the line in the Academy. Since then, he has frequently been represented in the Academy. Last year he exhibited Summer time in the Grove, Boxhill.' He was also a talented musician, and was founder and leader of the popular orchestra known as 'Mr Caffyn’s String Band.' 

He was a prominent Oddfellow, and had filled all the offices in the local order. Mr Caffyn leaves a widow and four children to mourn their loss. The funeral took place quietly at Dorking cemetery on Wednesday afternoon, and was attended by a number of Oddfellows and a large number of residents. The service was performed by the Rev. E. A. Chichester and Rev. Roberts.”