Peter de Wint (1784—1849) was born in Staffordshire, and of Dutch origin. A constant contributor to the Water-Colour Society, painting scenes direct from nature, he chose the northern and eastern counties of England. Corn-fields and hay-harvests are among his favourite subjects. He is very largely represented in the South Kensington collection.
GEORGE FENNEL ROBSON (1790—1833), after leaving his native Durham, exhibited many pictures at the Royal Academy, but his best works appeared at the exhibitions of the Water-Colour Society. He illustrated many books, and painted in conjunction with Hills, who contributed animals. Three of his works are at South Kensington.
THOMAS HEAPHY (1775—1835) was born in London, and having been, like many other artists, apprenticed to an uncongenial craft, left it to pursue the art of an engraver. This, however, gave place to painting, and he commenced with portraiture. He exhibited at the Royal Academy for the first time in 1800, and was admitted an Associate Exhibitor of the Water-Colour Society in 1807, and a member in 1808. For a time he accompanied the English army in the Peninsula, and found patrons among the officers. At South Kensington are two of his figure subjects, Coast Scene, with figures, and The wounded Leg.
WILLIAM HENRY HUNT (1790—1864) was one of the most original as well as the most versatile of the water-colour school. Starting as a landscape painter, he, in later years, excelled in rustic figure subjects, whilst as a painter of fruits and flowers he was without a rival. Hunt was a pupil of Varley, and had the advantage of Dr. Monro's friendship. The varied character of his art may be seen at South Kensington, in Boy and Goats, and a Brown Study (a negro boy puzzling over an addition sum), which illustrate his figure subjects, whilst Hawthorn Blossoms and Bird's Nest, Primroses and Birds' Nests, and Plums, are examples of another side of Hunt's genius. His humorous pictures The Attack, The Defeat, The Puzzled Politician, and The Barber's Shop are well known.
JAMES DUFFIELD HARDING (1798—1863), the son of an artist, was intended for a lawyer, but chose to become a painter. At the age of fifteen he was a pupil of Samuel Prout, and at first his works owed much to that artist. Like his master he did not succeed in foliage. Harding gained the silver medal of the Society of Arts for a water-colour drawing, and became very popular as a drawing-master. He published many lesson books, in which he called in lithography to his aid. His visit to France and Italy resulted in numerous studies, which are embodied in The Landscape Annual. He is represented at South Kensington by A Landscape with Hovels. Harding is described as the first water-colour artist who used, to any extent, body-colour mixed with transparent tints. His example was almost always injurious.
GEORGE CATTERMOLE (1800—1868) was a native of Dickleburgh, Norfolk. He started in life as a topographical draughtsman, and studied architectural antiquities. This fitted him for the mediæval and romantic subjects in which he delighted Brigands, robbers, and knights figure largely in his works. His travels in Scotland bore fruit in illustrations to the Waverley novels. His pictures were due to his memory, rather than to new inspirations, and as he advanced in years they became tame. Among Cattermole's principal works are Sir Walter Raleigh witnessing the execution of Essex in the Tower, Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh preparing to shoot the Regent Murray, The Armourer's Tale, Cellini and the Robbers, Pirates at Cards, which are all at South Kensington.