Mason, William

Gender:
Male
Date and place of birth:
Unknown
Date and place of death:
Unknown
Worked:
(fl) 1810-1830
Known places of work:
Cambridge
Known techniques:
Painted on card
Known materials:
Water-colour paint
Frames:
Verre églomisé border
Signature:
Not recorded

Introduction:

A versatile artist whose twenty two water colours of Cambridge views are on display in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. Also on display is a copy of an original water-colour portrait by Mason of Dr Barnes, Master of Peterhouse, dated 1818.

Mason is not considered to be a ‘run of the mill’ silhouettist as he was a known, if minor, artist and engraver. His silhouettes were painted specifically, it seems, in order to engrave and sell prints for his business. His portraits of various Cambridge personages provides a fascinating adjunct to the history of Cambridge

Mason favoured dark sepia as a background colour and his bust-length profiles were bronzed. However, his bronzing is more of a cadmium shade, due to his trademark combination of gold and yellow paint. Mason used gum Arabic on all parts requiring deep shade, including a thick line across the base of the profile.

Additional research about William Mason:

Source: McKechnie (Author of, British Silhouette Artists and their Work 1760-1860)

Mason, William (McKechnie Section 2)