Alexander Williams RHA (Nature Studies, Landscapes) (1846-1930)
Born in Monaghan, the son of a hatter, he took evening classes at the Royal Dublin Society School of Art, while apprenticed to his father. Despite this lack of full-time art study, he must have possessed considerable natural talent, as he began exhibiting at the Royal Hibernian Academy in 1870 and never missed a single RHA show over the next sixty years - contributing in total more than 450 paintings. To begin with, these were mostly nature studies, but later included landscapes and genre painting.
He was also an ardent member of the Dublin Sketching Club, where he exhibited several hundred of his works. In 1884, he was elected an Associate Member of the RHA - the same year he staged his first solo show in Dublin - and a full member in 1891. He also showed many works at the Water Colour Society of Ireland and the Belfast Art Society. After accepting a senior post with the Dublin Corporation in 1897, relating to the city's portrait collection, his attention turned to England and he began exhibiting in Manchester, Liverpool and Bristol. In 1901, he held his first solo show in London, at the Modern Gallery in Bond Street, selling over fifty of his paintings.
Example of the work of Alexander Williams. This picture is entitled Horse Glen at Bray Head near Dublin Bay.
Pair of Cormorants by Alexander Williams of Dublin.
A "time-capsule", the original diaries for the Shooting and Ornithological interest of Alexander Williams of Dublin. This page depicts Christmas Day 1867. This diary is known as the "Clontarf Diary 1867". A book on the life and work of Williams of Dublin will be published in September 2010 and we are delighted to have been able to contribute to this work. Should anyone wish to own a copy then contact us and we will put you in touch with Williams's relative.
Example of the work of Alexander Williams. This picture is entitled Sea Cliffs.
Example of the work of Alexander Williams. This picture is entitled Croft Cottage.
Example of the work of Alexander Williams. This picture is entitled Middle Lake County Kerry.
In later life, he became of student of wild birds and also developed an interest in illustration. He also travelled extensively, exhibiting his works as far afield as South Africa, Australia and Canada. A popular painter throughout most of his life, he is noted in particular for the lyrical quality of his smaller scale nature studies. Examples of his work can be seen at the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin, the National Gallery of Ireland, the National Yacht Club, Kilkenny, the Limerick City Gallery of Art, the Armagh County Museum and the Monaghan County Museum.
An example of the work of Williams. Exotic bird case
An example of the work of Williams. Exotic bird case in detail
An example of the work of Williams. Female Marsh Harrier
An example of the work of Edward Williams. This is a female Marsh Harrier. Given that the company ceased trading in 1941, this might be one of the last examples of this firms work
An example of the work of Edward Williams. This is a female Marsh Harrier. Given that the company ceased trading in 1941, this might be one of the last examples of this firms work
Typical data record from the above case.
Medal awarded to Williams for donations of live specimens to the Zoological Society of Ireland.
Medal awarded to Williams for donations of live specimens Zoological Society of Ireland.
A review by Brighton & Hove art society on the work of Alexander Williams.
Undated article on the work of Alexander Williams.
Alexander Williams RHA (1846-1930), one of the founders of the business, was my great uncle on my mother’s side; and at the present time I am trying to write something on Alex who, having combined taxidermy with singing and painting, became a painter full time. He left some 35 volumes of papers, including several volumes of memoirs, an Achill diary, a shooting diary started in 1867 (when he was twenty-one) letters, catalogue books of solo exhibitions, accounts and sketchbooks. There are two more ornithological diaries in the Ulster Museum.
Wonderful postcard depicting the front of William's shop in Dublin dated 1908.
The person depicted standing in the doorway is in fact Edward Williams.
Edward Williams's obituary.
Williams Trout with data.
Williams Trout with data.
Williams Trout with data.
Williams Pike with data.
Williams Pike with data.
Williams Pike with data.
Edward Williams, with a reconstructed Irish Elk removed from a peat Bog.
Female Shovelor duck by Williams of Dublin.
Additional postcard depicting the front of William's shop in Dublin dated 1907, showing a different array of natural history subjects.
Information provided by a relative of Alexander Williams
Alexander Williams RHA (1846-1930), one of the founders of the business, was my great uncle on my mother’s side; and at the present time I am trying to write something on Alex who, having combined taxidermy with singing and painting, became a painter full time. He left some 35 volumes of papers, including several volumes of memoirs, an Achill diary, a shooting diary started in 1867 (when he was twenty-one) letters, catalogue books of solo exhibitions, accounts and sketchbooks. There are two more ornithological diaries in the Ulster Museum.
Alexander was the eldest of three brothers, the youngest of which was my grandfather, Willie. After Alexander left the taxidermy business – after about eight years – it was run by his father, William; Edward, the middle brother and my grandfather. Edward died in middle age in 1905, thereafter my grandfather ran the business until his death in 1937. His elder son Teddy continued the business until he joined up during the Second World War, after which he joined Leicester Museum. The taxidermy business continued in a sort of fashion for some years after the war, when it was run by one of my grandfather’s workmen.
I can just remember as a small child being brought into the ‘studio’ at the top of what seemed like endless flights of stairs at the top of the building (since demolished) in Dame Street. I can remember vividly the overpowering smell of what was probably formaldehyde. There was a large skate hanging from the ceiling over a bucket. I was told it was a record catch. Otherwise, on a vast table that seemed to fill the room there were countless numbers of bird skins, and everywhere else too, on window ledges and all round the place, and an air of decay and dust. The abiding impression I have is that most of the specimens had not been touched in years. At the entrance to the studio was a plaster archway, on either side of which were a number of stuffed dogs.
This firm was founded by two brothers and was then joined by their father at a later stage. The postcard indicated above is dated 1908 and demonstrates the capability of the firm with the scale and diversity of the subject matter. Fish and birds were common, but more exotic animal preparations were also clearly undertaken as they are present in the image. We have made the assumption that the gentlemen pictured in the image is one of the Williams clan but which one, it is not possible to ascertain. We have been contacted by a member of the Williams family and have been informed that the person in the picture is likely to be William Williams.
Williams cases varied in design from domes, to flat fronted cases to all glass constructions. The quality of the work however is superb. We have seen many examples of fish by Williams of Dublin and also more interesting birds such as a female Marsh Harrier and a Shovelor duck (which appears to be in eclipse plumage). This case in particular has an interesting background; we have assumed that the landscape is perhaps where the bird was shot. Another case depicting English waders was recently sold at auction and sadly the contents of this case were dismantled and sold separately, perhaps for greater financial gain.
The message on the postcard states that a Peregrine Falcon was shot in a field in Silo on the 4th of August 1904 and sent to Mr Williams on the 5th of August 1904. We have no image of the result mount nor indeed any confirmation as to whether this mount was created for the client, a Mr G.W.Wood.
Wonderful postcard depicting the description of the bird that was sent to Williams & Sons 1908.
Victorian label by William of Dublin.
Case of Waders in winter plumage by Williams & Sons African Elephant foot by Williams of Dublin
Label of the work of Williams of Dublin.
European Pike by Williams of Dublin.
Victorian label by Williams of Dublin.
The fish mounts we have had the opportunity to view have nearly always been mounted in flat fronted cases and more typically originate solely from fish that have been obtained in Ireland. This could be from visiting sportsmen to the region, who upon acquiring a fish that pleased them, had it mounted locally. Another reason is that fish "fade" quickly and therefore would not have travelled as well as other specimens.
It has also been reported that the last remaining brother / son of the taxidermy family moved from Ireland to Leicester and then finally to Norfolk where he continued, following his retirement from Leicester museum in 1969, until his death in 1977.
This ended almost 125 years of contribution to the art of taxidermy. It is interesting to note that although this firm in one form or another produced work for such a long period that very few items come onto the market for sale today. Should anyone have any further information and or indeed images to increase the knowledge of this firm then please contact us as we would be delighted to receive them.
Female Marsh Harrier by Williams of Dublin.
Seabirds by Williams of Dublin
Seabirds by Williams of Dublin
Seabirds by Williams of Dublin
European Pike by Williams of Dublin.
James Sheals of Belfast
European Kestrek by James Sheals.
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