WILLIAM LEE HANKEY RWS RI (BRITISH, 1869-1952)

WILLIAM LEE HANKEY RWS RI (BRITISH, 1869-1952)
Wooded landscape
signed 'W. Lee Hankey' (lower right)
watercolour
25 x 35 cm. (9 3/4 x 13 3/4 in.)

William Lee Hankey, a prolific painter, printmaker and book illustrator, is perhaps an artist who deserves to be better known. Born in Chester, he studied in London at what became the Royal College of Art. He became primarily known for painting French landscapes and pastoral scenes, towns, harbours, and character studies, often through a sentimental and 'romantic' lens. He rose to the top of various institutions connected with the artistic world, such as the Royal Institute and the Royal Watercolour Society, reflecting his strong reputation and the respect and veneration of his peers.

This watercolour has all his impressionist hallmarks, with the contrasting light, shade and reflections, a transparency of colours and washes achieved through the deft use of his brush.

His works are held in many major regional, national and international galleries and private collections, including the British Museum and the V&A.