Portrait of William Henry Margetson

The 55 Most Famous William Henry Margetson Paintings, a Gallery Selection

Updated October 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 55 works by William Henry Margetson in our catalogue

In short

Of all the originals William Henry Margetson left, the most famous is At The Cottage Door. Close behind it come The Seashore and The Morning Walk (1900). Our catalog holds 55 works by William Henry Margetson; the gallery has kept the 55 the world admires most, each shown with its date, its museum and its story.

1861 – 1940, Denmark Hill Romanticism Most works: Art Gallery of New South Wales
At The Cottage Door by William Henry Margetson1. At The Cottage Door The Seashore by William Henry Margetson2. The Seashore The Morning Walk (1900) by William Henry Margetson3. The Morning Walk 1900

William Henry Margetson's top 10 paintings: the gallery's choice

1
At The Cottage Door by William Henry Margetson

At The Cottage Door

Oil On Canvas

A woman stands at the threshold of a cottage, her hands resting upon the window frame. She is positioned in profile, looking out from the interior toward an unseen point beyond the glass. The scene is framed by the architectural elements of the doorway and the windowsill, which are crowded with various botanical elements. Potted plants and ceramic vases occupy the immediate foreground and the ledge, creating a layered depth…

About this original
2
The Seashore by William Henry Margetson

The Seashore

Oil On Canvas

A woman stands where the wet sand meets the tide. The light is diffused, filtered through an overcast sky that refuses to break. She is a vertical presence against the long, horizontal bands of the sea and the heavens. Her dress flows in soft lines, mimicking the movement of the receding water. The palette is quiet, composed of muted blues, greys, and beige. There is a stillness here, a sense…

About this original

The William Henry Margetson selection continues, 11 to 55

11The dragon sank towards him by William Henry MargetsonThe dragon sank towards him 12The Annunciation by William Henry MargetsonThe Annunciation 13Then He Climbed Quietly Down by William Henry MargetsonThen He Climbed Quietly Down 14The Golden Calf by William Henry MargetsonThe Golden Calf 15Century European Art Fa Gold by William Henry MargetsonCentury European Art Fa Gold 16Now Off You Go by William Henry MargetsonNow Off You Go 17The Egyptian Bondage by William Henry MargetsonThe Egyptian Bondage 18The laundry maid by William Henry MargetsonThe laundry maid 19Shaking With Fear She Dropped The Magic Key by William Henry MargetsonShaking With Fear She Dropped The Magic Key 20Two Young Women Seated by William Henry MargetsonTwo Young Women Seated 21Jocelyn, Bishop Of Glasgow by William Henry MargetsonJocelyn, Bishop Of Glasgow 22He Begged Her To Open The Ball With Him by William Henry MargetsonHe Begged Her To Open The Ball With Him 23Alfred Tennyson by William Henry MargetsonAlfred Tennyson 24The Execution Of James Guthrie by William Henry MargetsonThe Execution Of James Guthrie 25The Arrow Of The Lord's Deliverance by William Henry MargetsonThe Arrow Of The Lord's Deliverance 26Her Eyes Were Closed by William Henry MargetsonHer Eyes Were Closed 27She Heard A Gruff Voice Say by William Henry MargetsonShe Heard A Gruff Voice Say 28Harbingers Of Spring by William Henry MargetsonHarbingers Of Spring 29The Betrayal by William Henry MargetsonThe Betrayal 30The Fairy Godmother Touched Them With Her Wand by William Henry MargetsonThe Fairy Godmother Touched Them With Her Wand 31Paul Shipwrecked by William Henry MargetsonPaul Shipwrecked 32A Summer Evening by William Henry MargetsonA Summer Evening 33She Climbed The Stairs by William Henry MargetsonShe Climbed The Stairs 34Regent Moray Arrests His Enemies by William Henry MargetsonRegent Moray Arrests His Enemies 35Hydraulic Riveting On The Forth Bridge by William Henry MargetsonHydraulic Riveting On The Forth Bridge 36They Found Their Way Home Quite Easily by William Henry MargetsonThey Found Their Way Home Quite Easily 37George Wishart Led To Execution by William Henry MargetsonGeorge Wishart Led To Execution 38The fiery furnace by William Henry MargetsonThe fiery furnace 39Mary At The Loom by William Henry MargetsonMary At The Loom 40Elijah And His Servant Watching For Rain by William Henry MargetsonElijah And His Servant Watching For Rain 41Paterson Explaining The Darien Scheme In Edinburgh by William Henry MargetsonPaterson Explaining The Darien Scheme In Edinburgh 42A New Day by William Henry MargetsonA New Day 43Blow by William Henry MargetsonBlow 44The Princess Came To The Iron Chest by William Henry MargetsonThe Princess Came To The Iron Chest 45Do Not Cry by William Henry MargetsonDo Not Cry 46O Magic Mirror On The Wall by William Henry MargetsonO Magic Mirror On The Wall 47The trial of Adam Wallace by William Henry MargetsonThe trial of Adam Wallace 48Portrait Of Helen Hatton by William Henry MargetsonPortrait Of Helen Hatton 49Taking The Poison by William Henry MargetsonTaking The Poison 50Impmod B Fa Gold by William Henry MargetsonImpmod B Fa Gold 51Girl By A Lock by William Henry MargetsonGirl By A Lock 52A Moment's Reflection by William Henry MargetsonA Moment's Reflection 53Gardenpath by William Henry MargetsonGardenpath 54Irving - As Mephistopheles, And George Alexander by William Henry MargetsonIrving - As Mephistopheles, And George Alexander 55The sea hath its pearls (1897) by William Henry MargetsonThe sea hath its pearls1897 · Art Gallery of New South Wales

The subjects that held William Henry Margetson's eye

The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.

Victorian era 5 works

Century European Art Fa Gold, William Henry Margetson #15 Century European Art Fa Gold The Egyptian Bondage, William Henry Margetson #17 The Egyptian Bondage The laundry maid, William Henry Margetson #18 The laundry maid Shaking With Fear She Dropped The Magic Key, William Henry Margetson #19 Shaking With Fear She Dropped The Magic Key

Melancholy mood 3 works

Century European Art Fa Gold, William Henry Margetson #15 Century European Art Fa Gold The laundry maid, William Henry Margetson #18 The laundry maid Shaking With Fear She Dropped The Magic Key, William Henry Margetson #19 Shaking With Fear She Dropped The Magic Key

Woman 2 works

At The Cottage Door, William Henry Margetson #1 At The Cottage Door The Seashore, William Henry Margetson #2 The Seashore

Flowers 2 works

Flowers Of The Field, William Henry Margetson #7 Flowers Of The Field At The Cottage Door, William Henry Margetson #1 At The Cottage Door

The museums that keep William Henry Margetson's originals

The museum that holds the most of the paintings on this page.

Museum City Works by William Henry Margetson Paintings from this list
Art Gallery of New South Wales, SydneyArt Gallery of New South Wales Sydney 1 The sea hath its pearls

William Henry Margetson decade by decade: the original that defines each

Works per decade

Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.

Collectors' questions about William Henry Margetson's paintings

Which work is William Henry Margetson most famous for?Reveal the answer

At The Cottage Door. The Seashore and The Morning Walk (1900) come next.

What are the ten most famous William Henry Margetson paintings?Reveal the answer

At The Cottage Door, The Seashore, The Morning Walk, The Angel appearing to the Shepherds, Marsh Marigolds, The good samaritan, Flowers Of The Field, The Brazen Serpent, Knox on his deathbed and The Sea Hath Its Pearls. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.

How many paintings did William Henry Margetson leave?Reveal the answer

Our catalog holds 55 works by William Henry Margetson, dated from 1897 to 1924.

In which museums do William Henry Margetson's masterpieces hang?Reveal the answer

Mostly in Art Gallery of New South Wales (Sydney). The museum table above lists them all.

In which years did William Henry Margetson paint the most famous works?Reveal the answer

In 1900s: 2 of the 55 works on this page were made then, The Morning Walk among them.

What are the first and the last famous originals of William Henry Margetson?Reveal the answer

On this page, the earliest is The sea hath its pearls (1897) and the latest Marsh Marigolds (1924).

Which subjects did William Henry Margetson choose most often?Reveal the answer

Victorian era (5), Melancholy mood (3) and Woman (2), across the 55 works on this page.

Which technique did William Henry Margetson use most?Reveal the answer

Oil On Canvas, for 2 of the 55 works on this page.

To which art movement does William Henry Margetson belong?Reveal the answer

Romanticism and Post-impressionism, judging by the originals on this page.

William Henry Margetson: life and work

A Life Dedicated to Aesthetic Beauty: William Henry Margetson

William Henry Margetson, born in Camberwell, Surrey, in December 1861, was a painter whose career unfolded across the shifting tides of Victorian and early 20th-century British art. He wasn’t a revolutionary figure shattering conventions, but rather a dedicated craftsman who beautifully captured an era's ideals of feminine beauty and spiritual yearning. His journey began with formal training at Dulwich College, followed by studies at the prestigious Royal College of Art and the Royal Academy Schools – a path typical for aspiring artists of his time, yet one he navigated with distinct talent and sensitivity. Margetson first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1885, marking the beginning of a consistent presence in London’s art scene over the following decades, showcasing work not only at the RA but also at the Royal Society of British Artists, the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, and the Grosvenor Gallery. This early success was cemented by winning the Armitage Medal for his studies at the Academy, a testament to his foundational skills.

From Victorian Academicism to Post-Impressionist Whispers

Initially, Margetson’s style firmly rooted itself in the academic tradition of Victorian painting. He excelled in portraiture, and it was through these depictions of women that he first garnered recognition. However, what distinguished him wasn't merely technical proficiency but a focus on capturing an *aesthetic* ideal – his subjects were often portrayed with modern hairstyles and fashionable hats, reflecting contemporary society while simultaneously embodying timeless grace. As the 19th century waned, Margetson’s artistic sensibilities began to evolve. He didn’t abandon realism entirely, but he allowed himself to be influenced by the burgeoning Post-Impressionist movement and the Pre-Raphaelites, particularly Lawrence Alma-Tadema. This shift manifested in a looser brushstroke, a more nuanced use of color, and an increasing interest in symbolic imagery. While never fully embracing radical experimentation, Margetson skillfully integrated these new influences into his existing style, creating works that bridged tradition and modernity.

The Zenith of His Career: ‘The Sea Hath Its Pearls’

‘The Sea Hath its Pearls’, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1897, stands as Margetson's most celebrated achievement. Now residing in the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australia, this classically decorative painting encapsulates his artistic maturity. The work is a masterful blend of Victorian elegance and symbolic depth, depicting a scene imbued with romanticism and subtle allegory. It’s not simply a beautiful image; it invites contemplation on themes of beauty, loss, and the hidden treasures within life's depths. This success wasn’t an isolated incident. Margetson also ventured into religious and allegorical subjects, demonstrating his versatility and intellectual curiosity. His ability to imbue these works with emotional resonance further solidified his reputation as a painter capable of more than just superficial beauty.

Beyond the Canvas: Illustration and Personal Life

Margetson’s talents extended beyond oil and watercolor painting; he also worked as an illustrator, contributing to various publications. This foray into illustration likely honed his skills in narrative composition and attention to detail – qualities evident in his paintings. His personal life was equally enriching. He married Helen Hatton, a fellow artist whom he met during a collaborative illustration project. They established a home first in London before relocating to the picturesque villages of Blewbury and Wallingford, Oxfordshire, where they continued their artistic pursuits. Margetson’s dedication to his craft remained unwavering throughout his life, culminating in a prolific career that spanned several decades. He passed away in Wallingford in 1940 at the age of 78, leaving behind a legacy of beautiful paintings and evocative illustrations.

A Lasting Impression: Historical Significance

While not a household name today, William Henry Margetson occupies an important niche within British art history. He represents a transitional figure – one who skillfully navigated the changing aesthetic landscape of his time. His work provides valuable insight into Victorian ideals of beauty, the influence of emerging artistic movements, and the enduring appeal of classical themes. The portrait of Alfred Tennyson he painted now held in the National Portrait Gallery is another testament to his skill and recognition within the art world. Margetson’s paintings continue to captivate viewers with their delicate beauty, emotional depth, and technical mastery, ensuring that his legacy as a dedicated artist endures.
All 55 works by William Henry Margetson →