William REYNOLDS-STEPHENS | Cornwall Artists Index

Sir William REYNOLDS-STEPHENS PRBS

1862

1943

Born in Detroit of British parents on 8 Aug 1862, the artist was educated in Germany and England, studying at the RA Schools in London from 1884-1887. There he won prizes in painting and sculpture. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1886-1942, but abandoned painting and worked solely as a sculptor after 1894. His paintings were of genre and literary subjects, often allegorical, and showed the influence of the Pre-Raphaelites and Alfred Gilbert.

As a designer, he made objects such as light shades, fireplaces and wall decorations, using floral and plant-like forms in Art Nouveau style. The Chantrey Bequest purchased The Royal Game in 1911. He exhibited a statuette in bronze, called Joy in 1924 at NAG. His wife, Annie REYNOLDS-STEPHENS, an eminent embroiderer exhibited in the same exhibition. The couple lived in St John's Wood in London. He was Knighted in 1931. He died at Tunbridge Wells, Kent, on 23 Feb 1943.

media

Sculptor, decorative artist, painter and metalworker

works and access

Likenesses of the artist: Sir William Reynolds-Stephens by Sir William Reynolds-Stephens (white metal bust, 1934 NPG)

Works include: numerous busts of eminent individuals at the NPG, including Sir (John) Bernard Partridge (white metal bust, 1937), Cosmo Gordon Lang, Baron Lang of Lambeth (white metal bust, 1938), Sir John Alexander Macdonald (1815-1891) Prime Minister of Canada 1867-73, 1878-91 (Bronze bust 1893); and paintings The Royal Game (c1911); Joy (bronze statuette, 1924); Summer (1891); Interlude; Sir Lancelot and the Nestling; Guinevere and the Nestling

Access to Works: National Portrait Gallery; Altar rail, War Memorial and arch, Church of St Mary the Virgin, Great Warley, Essex; Memorial to Charles Lamb (bust) Giltspur Street, London, England; Monument to Sir Richard Orchardson, St Paul's Cathedral, London; Stained glass, Church of St Lawrence, Ventnor, Isle of Wight