Clarence Whaite
| Henry Clarence Whaite | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born | 1828 Manchester, England |
| Died | 1912 Conwy Valley, Wales |
| Nationality | English |
| Education | Manchester School of Design |
| Known for | landscapes |
Henry Clarence Whaite often referred to as Clarence Whaite (1828–1912) was an English artist best known for his landscape paintings of Wales. Having spent the earlier part of career based in his native Manchester, he later settled near Conwy in North Wales. He was an early member of the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts, and a leading figure in the formation of the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art.
Whaite was born in Manchester in 1828. His father, Henry, owned an art gallery and picture framing business, which also supplied painted banners for rallies and meetings. Whaite was educated at Manchester Grammar School before matriculating to the Manchester School of Design. He later moved to London to complete his education, studying at Leigh's School in Newman Street and at the Royal Academy in Somerset House. He visited Switzerland in 1850, and inspired by the mountain scenery planned to return the following year, but this proved impracticable.
Unable to return to Switzerland, he looked for mountain scenery nearer home, and in 1851 made his first visit to Betws-y-Coed, a village in the Conwy Valley in North Wales which had already become a favourite destination for artists. The landscape of the area was to become the main subject of his work for the rest of his life. For the next twenty years, however, he remained based in Manchester, living in Stretford and becoming a member of the newly established Manchester Academy of Fine Arts in 1859. Then, in 1870, he took a house called Tyddyn Cynal on the river about 3 miles from Conwy, which became his permanent residence. In 1876 he married a local woman, Jane Alice Griffiths. They had one daughter, Lily Florence Whaite, who also became a notable artist.
In 1881 Whaite led a group of English and Welsh artists in forming the Cambrian Academy of Art, later the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art, the first art Academy in Wales. He later became the President of the Cambrian Academy and in 1892 became president of the Manchester Academy, a post he held until his death. A bronze of Whaite by Irish artist John Cassidy was commissioned and completed in 1898.
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