William Ball Spencer, Oil on Canvas, Seascape Painting, British, 19th C.

William Ball Spencer, Seascape, Oil on Canvas, Sailboat Painting, British, 19th C.

An oil on canvas by William Ball Spencer 1854–1923, a renowned British marine artist. Signed lower left, ' W.B. Spencer.' This work depicting clipper ship "Mennock." W.B. Spencer is the son of Richard Ball Spencer (1812-1897), also a well-renowned marine artist. Old minor tears having old repairs done remarkably well. Not noticeable at all from the front view.

Oil on Canvas, British/American, late 19th/early 20th century

William Ball Spencer was born on 22 June 1854 in Stepney and was baptised at St Thomas’s Church on 30 July of the same year. On 12 October 1873, he married Fanny Wardill at Trinity Church, Stepney. She was 20 years old and the daughter of Jonathan Wardill, a civil engineer.

According to the 1881 census, William, then aged 27, was living at 8 High Street, Poplar, listed as a marine artist. Residing with him were his wife Fanny (also 27, born in Stepney), their four sons—aged between seven years and five months—and their 16-year-old servant, Charles C. Seward, born in Sheerness. Seward is recorded as a “Shop boy to Artist,” suggesting that William not only produced artwork but also operated a commercial studio or shop, likely selling original paintings, prints, and related items.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Richard Ball Spencer (1812–1897), also a painter, William specialized primarily in broadside ship portraits rendered in a similar stylistic manner. He occasionally painted other maritime scenes and was known to create copies of earlier naval battle paintings.

Framed - Height: 28 inches, Width: 42 inches, Depth: 1 inch
Unframed - Height: 23.25 inches, Width: 37.25 inches, Depth: 0.75 inches

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