author
Sir W. B. (William Blake) Richmond
1842–1921
A Victorian artist of many talents, he was known not only for portrait painting but also for ambitious mosaics and stained glass. His work at St Paul's Cathedral helped make him one of the most distinctive decorative artists of his time.
1 Audiobook
Democracy—false or true? : A prologue and a dream
by Sir W. B. (William Blake) Richmond
About the author
Born in London in 1842, William Blake Richmond grew up in an artistic family: his father was the painter George Richmond, and he was named after William Blake. He studied at the Royal Academy Schools and became known as a painter, sculptor, and designer, building a career that moved between easel painting and large public decoration.
He is especially remembered for his portrait work and for the striking mosaics he designed for St Paul's Cathedral in London. Richmond also worked in stained glass and was influential in the early Arts and Crafts world, admired for his bold use of color and materials.
Over the course of his career he was elected to the Royal Academy and later received a knighthood. He died in 1921, leaving behind a body of work that shows both technical range and a strong sense of visual drama.