John Dawson Watson
Illustration — John Dawson Watson in fancy dress, c. 1863 John Dawson Watson (20 May 1832 – 3 January 1892) was a British painter, mainly in watercolour, and illustrator. Apart from his illustrations for books and magazines, he was best known for small figure subjects in watercolour, typically of couples of lovers, small children or single females.
Also recorded as J. D. Watson
John Dawson Watson
Elliott Fry · http: search=sas sText=John+Dawson+Watson role=sit rNo=3 · Public domain
- Born
- John Dawson Watson was born on 20 May 1832. · Sedbergh.
- Died
- John Dawson Watson died on 3 January 1892.
- Nationality
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Occupation
- painter · illustrator
- Languages
- English
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Documentary summary
Illustration — John Dawson Watson in fancy dress, c. 1863 John Dawson Watson (20 May 1832 – 3 January 1892) was a British painter, mainly in watercolour, and illustrator. Apart from his illustrations for books and magazines, he was best known for small figure subjects in watercolour, typically of couples of lovers, small children or single females.
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wikidata · Q18163208 · wikipedia · John Dawson Watson
In this article
Work
Work
He lived in London, but spent much time in North Wales. • Illustration — Rosalind Preparing to Leave Duke Frederick's Palace (As You Like It by Shakespeare), oils, Victoria and Albert Museum He was educated at King Edward VI Grammar School, Sedbergh School and Manchester School of Design. His son was the Impressionist painter Dawson Dawson-Watson. His sister, Frances, married Myles Birkett Foster in 1864.
Watson exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1853 to 1890, the British Institution, the Society of British Artists Suffolk Street, Royal Watercolour Society, and the Grosvenor Gallery. In the 1860s and 1870s he became nationally recognised for his genre scenes, often of historical themes and children. His pictures were usually small, painted on panel or board, and showed a Pre-Raphaelite feeling for colour and detail. He was also a prolific and notable illustrator, producing many designs for books and periodicals. His work appeared in: Once a Week, Good Words, London Society and others; amongst the many books he illustrated were Pilgrim's Progress, Arabian Nights and Isaac Watts' Divine and Moral Songs. Works by him are in the Victoria and Albert Museum, Norwich Castle and Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. Watson died of a respiratory infection on 3 January 1892, aged 59 in Conwy, Wales.
Identity
Identity
John Dawson Watson is recorded with the occupation painter.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1832
John Dawson Watson born at Sedbergh.
1892
John Dawson Watson died.
Places
Named by the record
Places
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John Dawson Watson was born at Sedbergh.
Birthplace
Sedbergh.
Birth place
Primary material
Documents and archives
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q18163208: John Dawson Watson
General reference · Wikidata
reference work
- “John Dawson Watson”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
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Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 17 August 2026.
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- John DuncanIllustrator
- John Edward SowerbyIllustrator
- John ErikssonIllustrator
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