Biography for William Powell Frith

Education

He trained in art at Saint Margaret's School in Dover, then the Henry Sass Academy, London.Whilst he was a student Frith painted portraits to earn money.

Member

Associate of the Royal Academy, 1845, full member, 1853.

Employment

Frith is know for his large pictures of scenes from Victorian life. He was very popular in his lifetime, his painting 'Before Dinner in Boswell's Lodgings' of 1868 sold for £4,567. The highest auction price paid for the work of a living artist at that time. His most famous picture is 'Derby Day' of 1858 now in the Tate Gallery, London.