William Shackleton
Landscape painter, William Shackleton, attended Bradford Technical College circa 1882 to 1891.
William Shackleton, a painter of subject interest and landscapes was born in Bradford, on 14th January 1872. The son of a paper manufacturer and merchant, William was educated locally at Bradford Grammar School. On leaving school he went on to study at Bradford Technical College. His training at Bradford enhanced his natural abilities in drawing and painting, enabling him to win a scholarship to the Royal College of Art in 1893.
In 1896 a further scholarship from the British Institute enabled him to pursue his studies in Paris and Italy. William Shackleton was highly influenced by Turner and his acquaintance Watts, the English master of symbolism. Indeed Shackleton described his own work as ‘conscientious symbolism’.
On his return to England, Shackleton settled in Fulham. He shared a studio with fellow
painters Philip Connard and Oliver Onions in Chelsea. He spent the summer months with
Edward Stott in Sussex. He began to exhibit on a regular basis:
1895-1919 Included in exhibitions at The Royal Academy
1899 Exhibiting with the New English Art Club, finally becoming a member in 1909
1910 Solo show at the Goupil Gallery
1913 A further solo show at the Twenty-One Gallery
1910 -1922 Represented Britain at the Venice Biennale
1919 After WWI, he acquired a cottage beneath Goredale Scar, and spent much
time painting in the area.
1922 Exhibitions at the Leicester Galleries
1927 Exhibition at Barbizon House
He died in London on 9th January 1933. A memorial exhibition was held in Bradford in
that year at Cartwright Hall.
Examples of Shackleton’s work can be found locally at Cartwright Hall and nationally at
the Tate.