William Adolphus Knell was a prominent English maritime painter.

Born in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, Knell’s fascination for maritime painting probably developed early when observing numerous ships as they navigated The Solent. One can imagine the young aspirant with his sketchbook in hand, spending countless hours in the harbour. Cowes had long been renowned for its shipbuilding and would’ve provided the ideal environment to study rigging and the nuances of construction. During the reign of George IV, it also became 'The Yachting Capital of the World' with an impressive regatta held annually.

By 1825, Knell had debuted at the prestigious Royal Academy and moved to London in search of opportunities. Here, he opened a studio and quickly developed a solid reputation as a painter of merit. In 1826, he began showing works at the Royal Society of British Artists and, in 1840, his ‘The Arrival of Prince Albert’ was purchased by Prince Albert himself.

He painted with an extraordinary level of fidelity and often wrestled with challenging compositions. This was particularly the case with his masterpiece, ‘Indiaman in the Thames’, which is at Royal Museums Greenwich. Backlit by a poignant setting sun, a forlorn storm-damaged ship is a symbolic reference to a changing empire. It’s somewhat reminiscent of Turner’s ‘The Fighting Temeraire’, and equally captivating.

William Adolphus Knell is represented in numerous public collections including at The British Museum, Government Art Collection and National Maritime Museum.

Exhibited

Royal Academy, Royal Society of British Artists, British Institution.

Public Collections

Blake Museum, Brampton Museum, The British Museum, Bury Art Museum, Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Government Art Collection, Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre, Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery, Guildhall Museum in Rochester, Laing Art Gallery, Museum of Gloucester, National Galleries of Scotland, National Maritime Museum, National Trust at Plas Newydd, National War Museum, Edinburgh Castle, Parliamentary Art Collection, RNLI Grace Darling Museum, Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, Southampton City Art Gallery, Sudley House, The Amelia, Victoria Art Gallery, York Art Gallery.

Timeline

1803

Born in Cowes, Isle of Wight, England, to William Knell, a shoemaker, and Jane Knell (nee Richardson).

1822/1828

Married Susannah Cross in London.

1825

Debuted at the Royal Academy with ‘The Royal Squadron at Spithead’.

1826

Debuted at the Royal Society of British Artists with ‘Boulogne Harbour’.

1827

Debuted at the British Institution with ‘Near Rochester Bridge’ and ‘View Near the Round-house, Eastbourne’.

1828

Married Susannah Ann McKirdy in Southwark, London.

1840

His ‘The Arrival of Prince Albert’ was purchased by Prince Albert and is currently in The Royal Collection.

1841

Lived in Kentish Town, London, with his wife Susanna and their five children.

1846

Married Susannah Williams, a widow, in St Pancras, London. Occupation recorded as 'Artist'.

1847

His ‘The Battle off Cape St. Vincent’ was acquired for the nation and is currently in the Parliamentary Art Collection.

1861

Lived in Kentish Town, London, with his wife Susanna, their five children and a servant. Occupation recorded as ‘Artist, Maritime, Landscape’.

1875

Died in Kentish Town, London.