William Collins

1788 – 1847

English painter. He was the son of William Collins (died 1812), a man of letters and dealer in pictures. William Collins specialized in sentimental rustic landscapes and genre scenes. He was an informal pupil of George Morland. In 1807, he entered the schools of the Royal Academy, and exhibited at the Academy for the first time in the same year. In 1820, he was elected a Royal Academician (RA), presenting as his diploma picture The Young Anglers. In 1828 made a tour of the Netherlands and Belgium. In September 1836, Collins left London for Italy, where he remained until 1838. During these two years he occupied himself unremittingly in advancing his knowledge of painting, but had to return due to illness. Despite poor health, his work remained consistent and was esteemed during his lifetime. In the late 19th century his work was more popular and highly valued than even that of J M W Turner or John Constable. He was the father of the painter and author Charles Allston Collins (1828-1873), the novelist and playwright Wilkie Collins (1824-1889).

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