William John Wainwright (1855-1931)

“A doubtful Tale”, 1907 🔴

Signed: “W J Wainwright”

Oil on Canvas, 448 x 281mm

The following arrangement is indebted to Dutch and Flemish genre painters of the 16th and 17th centuries. Wainwright studied in Antwerp and Paris between 1880 and 1884 and likely saw such works at close quarters.

The crowded composition, with large figures, pressed against the canvas are reminiscent of the early works of Frans Hals (1582-1666) or the Italianised scenes of Jan van Hemessen (c1500-c1566). It is unfortunate that the enigmatic title gives few clues to the painting’s meaning. The figures, some jovial, others despondent, likely allude to an allegorical significance that has been obscured since being exhibited at the Royal Society of Birmingham Artists in 1907.

Regardless it gives an insight into Wainwright’s prodigious work ethic and technique, that generally lead to detailed watercolours, but also accounted for a smaller selection of oils. Similar genre scenes, painted at the same time, such as “Sancho Panza Corrects Abuses in the Isle of Barataria” (1908) or “Sir John Falstaff and Justice Shallow Enlisting the Kings Levies” are among Wainwright’s most ambitious works.

Wainwright’s current reputation is perhaps partly explained by his indifference to money and status. Writing in the artist’s monograph of 1935, Walter Turner describes how:

He disappointed many who wished to give a commission for a portrait, tiring out their patience by his indifference to material interests. It was a pleasure to him to notice a picture coming into the open market was knocked down for a higher figure than he had received, and if anyone tried to make this a subject for commiseration he would say “It is much better that way than the reverse.”

It is also unfortunate that Wainwright gave much of his career to an artistic style that became increasingly outmoded as more modern tastes began to emerge in the early 20th century.