William Samuel Jay RBA was an accomplished painter of landscapes.
Born in London, the son of a draper, Jay spent his formative years in Hanover Square and Kentish Town. Little is known about his training but he evidently developed an early skill for landscapes as, by the age of 25, he was exhibiting at the Society of British Artists. The Royal Academy five years later.
Following his marriage to Ann Webster in 1882 in Steyning, Sussex, the census records him as residing in the picturesque historic village of Lyminster near Arundel. He spent the remainder of his life in Sussex, frequently capturing its rolling hills and scenic woods - while developing a solid local reputation.
His style is distinctly naturalistic and reminds us of his contemporaries Henry Hillingford Parker (1858-1930) and Walter Wallor Caffyn (1845-1898). Indeed, the latter produced a similar view titled 'On the River Rother, Fittleworth, Sussex'. Benjamin Williams Leader RA (1831-1923) was potentially also an inspiration.
When into his later years, Jay removed to Littlehampton, where he died in 1933. An obituary refers to him as one of “Littlehampton's oldest and best known residents” who was “well known as a landscape artist, particularly through his interpretations of Sussex scenery.”
He’s represented in numerous public collections including at Nottingham City Museum and Southampton City Art Gallery.
Exhibited
Royal Academy, Royal Society of British Artists, Grosvenor Gallery, New Gallery.
Public Collections
Nottingham City Museums & Galleries, Shipley Art Gallery, Southampton City Art Gallery, Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth.
Timeline
1843
Born at Swallow Place, London to Samuel Jay, a draper, and Maria Jay (nee Pryor).
1851
Lived at Hanover Square, London, with his parents, siblings and four staff.
1861
Lived in Kentish Town, London, with his parents, siblings and a servant.
1868
Debuted at the Society of British Artists with ‘A Stormy Harvest’.
1873
Debuted at the Royal Academy with ‘A Rich Corner’.
1882
Married Ann Webster in Steyning, Sussex.
1889
Elected a member of the Society of British Artists.
1891
Lived in Lyminster, Arundel, Sussex, with his wife, four children and five staff. Occupation recorded as “Artist - Landscape Painter”.
1901
Lived in Littlehampton, Sussex, with his wife, children, and four staff. Occupation recorded as “Landscape Painter - Professional Artist”.
1911
Lived in Littlehampton, Sussex, with his children, brother, and three staff. Occupation recorded as “Landscape Painter”. His brother, Hamilton Samuel Jay, also lists his occupation as “Artist”.
1933
Died in Littlehampton, Sussex.
Obituaries
Littlehampton Gazette
“One of Littlehampton's oldest and best known residents. Mr. Willian Samuel Jay. of Surrey Cottage. South-terrace, was buried on Saturday. Mr. Jay, who, as recorded in last week's issue of the ‘Gazette’ died on Wednesday of last week, would have been 90 in November. He was well known as a landscape artist, particularly through his interpretations of Sussex scenery. He was a member of the Royal Society of British Artists and exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy, where for many years he showed landscape paintings of the Arundel district.
Like his father. Mr. Jay was an old member of the Honourable Artillery Company, and in 1876 he was presented with a watch by the Prince of Wales.
He was actively connected with the Church Lads' Brigade and in 1895 he founded the Lyminster Brigade, of which he became Captain. When he moved to Littlehampton in 1896 he became interested in the local Brigade and was Captain here for some time. His second son. Mr. E. P. Jay, is at present connected with the local Boy Scouts' Association and is very popular in the position of District Rover Leader.
Mr. Jay was a cricket enthusiast and was one of the oldest Vice-Presidents of the Littlehampton Club.”