Wass, Charles Wentworth

Introduction:

CHARLES WENTWORTH WASS (1817-1905) was the only surviving son of JOHN WASS (1794-1832), a Yorkshire-born, London-based cutler, profilist and latterly a picture dealer.

Profiles by C.W.Wass are rare, with only 3 bust-sized compositions recorded. However, the works show notably skilful bronze highlighting applied over a black base colour. Bustline terminations are of the convex-concave type, though given the paucity of his output, using them as an attribution tool for any potential unsigned profiles would be speculative. No trade labels are recorded.

One silhouette illustrated in McKechnie is inscribed on its backing card "C W WASS 4 ROBERT ST. ADELPHI, LONDON, DEC. 10, 1842". The POST OFFICE directory locates him there as an "Artist" the following year, and at 2 further Adelphi addresses as an "Artist" and "Drawing Master" until 1848. From that year directories record his 'artistry' also encompassed engraving.

When his father died suddenly aged 38 in 1832, C.W. Wass, then aged 15, was likely already an apprentice engraver. As far as known, his earliest commercial work is dated 1838 and the MORNING CHRONICLE of the 20th of May 1842 indicates him already appointed "Historical Engraver" to HRH The Duchess of Cambridge. A number of his engravings are in the NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, BRITISH MUSEUM and FITZWILLIAM collections.

Reproducing popular works by such artists as William Etty (1787-1849) and Edwin Landseer (1802-1873), his commissions prove him a stipple and mezzotint engraver of some distinction. Financially, his most successful work was "Pharoah's Chariot Horses" by J.F. Herring (1795-1855). According to the  SHEFFIELD INDEPENDENT of the 27th of May 1848, the work was "...executed in the highest style under Herring's superintendence...[by Wass]...an artist of great talent".

As early as 1846, Wass's 'talents' had broadened to include picture dealing. His father had dealt in artworks from the highly fashionable Quadrant, Regent St. Doubtless this made an abiding impression, as the MORNING ADVERTISER of the 28th of April 1847 describes C.W. Wass a "spirited purchaser..." of paintings.

Unfortunately his 'spirit' overreached itself in 1847, when, with another dealer, he paid £260,000 (in 2023 values) for William Etty's unwieldy 28 foot long by 10 foot high triptych of "Joan of Arc". Engravings of it by Wass and a British and European tour to recoup their outlay was projected, but failed due to lack of public interest.

In May 1851, aged 34, Wass married 19-year-old Emily Agnes Hooper (1831-1860), daughter of Carver and Gilder Frederick William Hooper (1807-1881), in her hometown of Leamington Priors, Warwickshire. The same month, attempting to showcase British art, and no doubt confidently expecting to cash in on the volume of visitors attending the Great Exhibition in London, he opened the commercial "National Gallery of British Art" in New Bond St. - his confidence was misplaced. Listed a bankrupt in the MORNING POST in November 1852, he owed £1.2m. (in 2023 values) to unsecured creditors alone.

However, by 1854 another gallery was opened in New Burlington St. in partnership with his father-in-law. Seemingly, it bankrupted both men 4 years later, whereupon Wass became "Superintendent of the Crystal Palace Picture Gallery" in Sydenham. Taking a commission on artworks sold, he held the position for 22 years. According to an 1862 issue of ART JOURNAL, the paintings for sale were a "...mixture of Good and Indifferent suited to all tastes and pockets...".

Wass's own pocket appeared little affected by his reversals, as he became a well-known, determined and passionate collector of Royal Armorial china and items from celebrated porcelain services. "The Wass Collection of Royal Historical Armorial China...and Glass" was exhibited by Goode & Co of South Audley St. in 1898.

Regarding his private life, 9 years after they wed his wife died at Pau in the Pyrenees. An obituary appeared in the EVENING MAIL on the 11th of April 1860. The couple were childless; Wass never remarried. However, within a year of her death, the 1861 Census records her elder sister Mary Ann Hooper (1830-1904) was living with Wass. She had some success writing several cookery and household management books. The dynamics of their relationship are unknown, but she remained under his roof until her death in 1904.

CHARLES WENTWORTH WASS died the following year on the 10th of September 1905 at his home, 22 Central Hill, Norwood. His obituary appears in the GLOBE 5 days later. On the 15th of December, an advertisement in the WOOLWICH GAZETTE lists in some detail artworks, engravings, china and furniture about to be auctioned at his late abode.

A Correction -  McKechnie records 'C.W.Wass' as 'C.H. Wass' due to a misinterpretation of his signed initial.

Revised 11 March 2023 (Brian Wellings)