William Page

1811 - 1885

Quick Facts

  • Art period: 19th Century
  • Color intensity: monochromatic
  • Nationality: United States
  • Lifespan: 74 years
  • Copyright status: Public domain
  • Museums on APS:
    • Los Angeles County Museum of Art
    • Yale University Art Gallery
    • Detroit Institute of Arts
    • Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
    • Harvard Art Museums
  • Typical colors:
    • phthalo green
    • espresso
  • Room fit: living room

The Life and Artistic Journey of William Page

Born in Albany, United States, William Page was a versatile American painter and portrait artist. His early training began in the office of Frederick de Peyster, followed by studies in the studio of James Herring. He eventually became a pupil of Samuel F. Morse and enrolled at the National Academy of Design, where his drawings in the antique class earned him a silver medal. After a brief period studying theology at the Andover Theological Seminar and Amherst College, he returned to the world of art.

Page's career saw him move between New York and Boston, eventually spending eleven years residing in Florence and Rome. During his time in Italy, he painted portraits of notable figures such as Robert and Elizabeth Browning. He was deeply inspired by the works of the great masters, particularly Titian, whose painting method he sought to discover. His copies of Titian's works were so remarkable that one was once seized by Florentine authorities under the belief that it was an original.

Notable Works and Legacy

Throughout his career, Page executed a wide array of subjects, from religious scenes like "Moses and Aaron on Mount Horeb" and "The Holy Family" to portraits of prominent individuals. His portraiture included likenesses of:

In addition to his painting, Page was a man of diverse interests; he wrote A New Geometrical Method of Measuring the Human Figure and held patents for various improvements in guns and boats. He died on Staten Island.

Questions & Answers

Where are William Page's artworks mapped by subject?

The Subject Atlas of William Page is a page that maps the artist's artworks by their subjects.

How can I see every artwork made by William Page?

Every work by William Page on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.

Can I browse William Page's works by color palette?

The By Palettes page groups William Page's artworks by their color palettes.

Art Quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
Which famous artist was a pupil of William Page?
Question 2:
In which city did William Page reside for eleven years while in Italy?
Question 3:
Which artist's painting method did Page strive to discover by studying his works?
Question 4:
What was the subject of the portrait that attracted great attention and controversy in 1870?
Question 5:
Besides painting, what did William Page invent and patent?