William R. Symonds

William Robert Symonds (1851 – 7 November 1934) was an English painter. He specialised in genre scenes, often sentimental, or involving children and animals.

Life Born in Yoxford, Suffolk, he studied in Antwerp and settled in London in 1881. He exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy from 1876. His son was the architect and furniture expert Robert Wemyss Symonds.

Works Symonds painted the originals for some famous prints, the most notable being Heather, painted c. 1909. His paintings hang in the Wallace Collection in London and Christchurch Mansion in Suffolk. Twenty-two of his oil painting portraits are in UK public collections, in particular Colchester and Ipswich Museums.

Paintings

Heather Girl with a Silver Fish A painting of Sir Richard Wallace, 1885 Babes in the Wood Family Group Portrait of Mr, Mrs and Master Hollond of Benhall Lodge, 1887 His Lordship Portret kobiety, 1901 An illustration for The Frog Prince Portrait of Clarice H. Edwards as young girl, 1904 Portrait of Mr Arthur Ross and Companion portrait of his wife Indian Elephant, 1918