Frederick William Davis RBA RBSA (1862-1919) was an accomplished British painter of figures and genre scenes.
Born in Birmingham, Davis’ father was a watchmaker/jeweller, and he was raised in the Handsworth area. He trained initially at the Birmingham School of Arts before heading for Antwerp, Paris and Italy. In Paris, he worked under the eminent academic painter, William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905).
Unlike Bouguereau, whose exceedingly fine portrayals carry the utmost sobriety, Davis’ figures are, in contrast, often jovial and light-hearted, so it’s intriguing to consider how the pair connected. One gets the impression that Bouguereau’s students were encouraged to absorb the gravity of the classical world rather than revel in amusing narratives. However, Davis was a ‘Brummie’, with a keen wit, and probably couldn’t help himself.
Once back in Birmingham, his career gained momentum and in 1891 he debuted at the Royal Society of British Artists (RBA). A year later, he was elected a member of both the RBA and the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists.
It was his finesse as a draughtsman coupled with his sense of humour that captured the attention of viewers. A critic described him as a painter, “who can paint humour without exaggeration and without degeneration into caricature”. A tricky balancing act, indeed. Another referred to him as “one of Birmingham's most gifted artists”.
During the late 19th century, several Birmingham artists flourished as ‘costume painters’, e.g. producing theatrical scenes with figures in period outfits. Davis was one of the finest, joining his contemporaries William John Wainwright PRBSA (1855-1931) and William Arthur Breakspeare (1856-1914) RBA RBSA. As tastes changed at the turn of the century, each became somewhat shunned at a national level and, as such, underappreciated. But today, as we look back, they remain significant contributors to Britain’s eclectic artistic tapestry.
He’s represented at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Exhibited
Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, Royal Society of British Artists, Royal Institute of Painters in Water-Colours.
Public Collections
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Shire Hall in Warwick.
Timeline
1862
Born in Birmingham to Henry Arthur Davis, a watchmaker and jeweller, and Sarah Davis.
1871
Lived in Birmingham with his parents and three siblings.
Trained at the Birmingham School of Arts.
1881
Lived in Handsworth, Birmingham, with his parents, two siblings and staff. Occupation recorded as ‘Artist Painter’.
Trained in Antwerp.
Trained under William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905) in Paris.
Trained in Italy.
1891
Lived in Handsworth, Birmingham, with his widowed mother and staff. Occupation recorded as ‘Artist, Painter of Pictures’.
Debuted at the Royal Society of British Artists with ‘The Butterfly” (173). He continued to exhibit until 1897.
1892
Elected a member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists.
Elected a member of the Royal Society of British Artists.
1897
Elected a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water-Colours.
1911
Lived in Handsworth, Birmingham, with his widowed mother, sister and staff. Occupation recorded as ‘Artist, (Picture Painter)’.
1919
Died in Droitwich.
Reviews
"In ‘Cornered’ (268), by F. W. Davis, with good painting and composition, firm grip of character, and educated artistic sense, we seem also to have got an addition to the very select band of artists who can paint humour without exaggeration and without degeneration into caricature. The subject is a couple of men seated on some steps playing cards.”
Review (1889)
“’The Toper and Smoker’ (423). The character of this jolly and eupeptic old gentleman is very forcibly presented; the contours of the flesh are modelled with fineness, and the colour is rich and pleasing.”
The Birmingham Daily Post (1889)
“Though there are no very striking features at the exhibition of the Royal Society of Artists, Birmingham, which is to open to the public on Saturday, there is much to be seen on the walls at, New Street that will bear inspection. Facing the visitor on entering at the end of the long gallery are three works by the late F W. Davis, R.I., one of Birmingham's most gifted artists, whose death was so much deplored. Above them appear the artist's, palette and brushes. The central work, in oils, was painted in 1886, soon after Mr. Davis left his studies in Bougereau’s Studio in France, and represents King Charles I. taking farewell of his children; the others are in the more vigorous and later style of the artist, single figures of men in medieval costume, which have been lent for the purpose of the exhibition by Mr. Charles Palmer.”
Birmingham Mail (1920)
Obituaries
“The death is announced of Mr. Frederick William Davis, of Oakley Villa, Witton, Droitwich, well known as an artist, both in Birmingham and wider circles. A son of the late Mr. H. A. Davis, jeweller, of New-street, he studied first at the Birmingham School of Arts Later he was at Antwerp, Paris, and in Italy. He was a member of the Birmingham Royal Society of Artists, the Royal Society of British Artists, the Royal Institute of Painters in Water-Colours, the Birmingham Art Circle, and the Easel Club. Specialising in ‘costume’ work, there are many examples of his to be seen locally.”
Birmingham Daily Gazette
“Mr. Frederick William Davis, R.I., of Droitwich, died suddenly after a short illness on Sunday. He was a son of the late Mr. H. A. Davis, a Birmingham jeweller, and he received his education as an artist at the Birmingham School of Art pursuing his studies later in Antwerp and Paris. Returning to England, Mr. Davis made Birmingham his headquarters, where he enjoyed a well-founded reputation through the pictures he exhibited with the Birmingham Royal Society of Artists and at other provincial and London exhibitions. His pictures were almost always ‘costume’ pictures, and he used with telling effect the quaint and gorgeous dresses of mediæval and Georgian times. His colour was good, and his technical ability and the freedom of his brushwork were of a high order. One of his latest works was an altarpiece for St. Stephen's Church, Birmingham.”