Biography
John Syer RI was an accomplished English landscape painter known for his spirited views of Wales and the West Country. Working in both oils and watercolours, he developed a broad and spontaneous manner influenced by David Cox and William James Müller.
He was born at Atherstone in Warwickshire in 1815, although he spent much of his early life in Bristol. Some sources incorrectly give Bristol as his birthplace, but contemporary notices published following his death specifically identified Atherstone.
His earliest formal instruction came from a Bristol miniature painter named J. Fisher. Yet an unusually charming account of the young Syer provides perhaps a better indication of how his artistic life began.
As a young man, he would sit and paint in the back room of a bookseller's shop belonging to a Mr Heath in Broad Street, Bristol. Members of the public apparently came in to watch him work and stayed to talk. Syer was remembered as having a "very friendly and genial disposition". It's a delightful image: the young landscape painter at work while an audience gathered around him.
Bristol was an important place in which to develop as a landscape painter. Earlier in the century, the city had produced a culture of artists working directly from the surrounding countryside, including Francis Danby, James Johnson, Samuel Jackson and William James Müller. Müller's influence can be detected in Syer's energetic handling and preference for broad effects over minute description.
David Cox was equally important. Syer became closely associated with the landscape painters who regularly worked in North Wales, particularly around Betws-y-Coed. Contemporary accounts remembered him as one of the last representatives of the landscape tradition associated with Cox, while another obituary placed Syer among a select group of artists who regularly gathered with Cox at the Royal Oak Inn at Betws-y-Coed.
North Wales became Syer's favourite sketching ground. Mountains, wooded valleys, rushing rivers and rocky tracks provided exactly the kind of scenery suited to his temperament. Of the 19 paintings he exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1846 and 1875, ten were Welsh subjects.
His works were also shown at the British Institution and Society of British Artists, as well as in Bristol.
Known For
Broadly painted landscapes in oil and watercolour, particularly views of North Wales, Devon and the West Country.
Especially admired for his spontaneous handling of trees, rocks, skies and water, with contemporary commentators praising the breadth and freedom of his technique.
Student Of
Received his early artistic instruction in Bristol from the miniature painter J. Fisher.
Lived In
- Atherstone, Warwickshire
- Bristol
- London
- Hampstead
Public Collections
- Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
- Leeds Art Gallery
- Leicester Museum & Art Gallery
- Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, Bournemouth
- Sheffield Museums
- Works by Syer are also held by other British regional collections.
Timeline
1815
Born at Atherstone in Warwickshire. Although several later sources described Syer as Bristol-born, contemporary obituary material identified Atherstone as his birthplace.
Early 19th Century
Spent much of his early life in Bristol.
Studied under the miniature painter J. Fisher.
As a young artist, worked in the back room of Mr Heath's bookshop in Broad Street, Bristol, where members of the public would visit to watch him paint and converse with him. He was remembered as having a particularly friendly and genial disposition.
1832
Began exhibiting his work publicly according to contemporary accounts.
1840s
Developed as a landscape painter working in a broad manner influenced particularly by William James Müller and David Cox. Became increasingly associated with the landscape painters working in North Wales.
1846
Began exhibiting at the Royal Academy.
1846-1875
Exhibited nineteen works at the Royal Academy, ten of which depicted Welsh scenery. North Wales, particularly the countryside surrounding Betws-y-Coed, became his favourite sketching ground.
Mid-19th Century
Regularly visited Betws-y-Coed and was remembered as one of a select group of painters who gathered around David Cox at the Royal Oak Inn.
Painted extensively throughout Wales and the West Country while also producing views of other parts of Britain and Belgium.
Later 19th Century
Became a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours.
Was also a member of the Society of British Artists for several years before resigning following his election to the Institute.
Circa 1875
Moved from Bristol to London. According to a later biographical account, Syer achieved considerable commercial success during his London years. One dealer reportedly contracted him to produce six oil landscapes at six hundred guineas each. Syer joked that he regretted having only one pair of hands with which to paint and having waited so long before moving to London.
1880s
Continued travelling regularly to Devon to paint and sketch.
Contemporary accounts noted that his work remained highly regarded and that his skill had remained undiminished.
1885
Travelled to Exeter on another sketching tour. Worked in the studio of his friend William Widgery, where he reportedly completed the oil painting On the Lyd immediately before his final illness. While staying at the Rougemont Hotel in Exeter, Syer was suddenly taken ill and died on 26 June 1885, aged 70. His body was returned to London and buried in the family grave at Highgate Cemetery.