Study of a Female Nude - Contemplation

William Etty (1787-1849) was born in York and entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1807 and studied under Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830). He was made a Royal Academician in 1828 and exhibited there for almost forty years. The majority of his large scale works were of classical and mythological subjects, but he devoted himself mostly to painting female nudes and his luscious and sensual oil sketches scandalised the Victorian public and are what he is most remembered for today. His studio sale was held in these Rooms in 1850.