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William Staveley Most Popular Paintings

The 13 artworks by William Staveley our visitors look at most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one.

Edition 2026 · 13 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide William Staveley · 1928 – 1997

Jane Duff of Hatton (1790) by William Staveley

1790 · original 76 x 64 cm

Discover William Staveley’s ‘Jane Duff of Hatton’ (1790) – a stunning 18th-century portrait showcasing realistic detail & classical style. Explore this captivating oil painting now!

View the most popular artwork of William Staveley ranked #1: Jane Duff of Hatton

Art Movement: Neoclassicism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20029 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$33064 × 76 cm Commission at original size

Dr Gregory Grant by William Staveley

1796 · original 77 x 63 cm

1796 portrait of Dr. Gregory Grant by William Staveley. Dramatic oil painting showcasing formal 18th-century style, rich textures & striking lighting. A captivating historical piece.

View the most popular artwork of William Staveley ranked #2: Dr Gregory Grant

Art Movement: Neoclassicism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20029 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$33063 × 77 cm Commission at original size

Sir John Turner Dryden (1795) by William Staveley

1795 · Canons Ashby House

View the most popular artwork of William Staveley ranked #3: Sir John Turner Dryden

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20026 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Sir John Turner Dryden (1752–1797), 1st Bt of Canons Ashby and 4th Bt of Ambrosden (1795)

1795 · Canons Ashby House · original 28 x 23 cm

View the most popular artwork of William Staveley ranked #4: Sir John Turner Dryden (1752–1797), 1st Bt of Canons Ashby and 4th Bt of Ambrosden

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20027 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Henry Mackenzie (1745–1831), Novelist and Essayist (1795) by William Staveley

1795 · Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh · original 20 x 17 cm

View the most popular artwork of William Staveley ranked #5: Henry Mackenzie (1745–1831), Novelist and Essayist

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20028 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

George Home of Paxton (1796)

1796 · original 20 x 16 cm

View the most popular artwork of William Staveley ranked #6: George Home of Paxton

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20028 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Sir James Grant (1738–1811), Member of Parliament

1797 · Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh · original 20 x 17 cm

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20028 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Ann Bealby, William Staveley

original 77 x 64 cm

Admire 'Ann Bealby' by William Staveley – a captivating 18th-century portrait. Hand-painted reproductions available. Discover British art history & elevate your collection.

View the most popular artwork of William Staveley ranked #8: Ann Bealby

Art Movement: Neoclassicism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20029 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$33364 × 77 cm Commission at original size

William Craig

original 16 x 13 cm

Exquisite portrait of William Craig by william staveley (1928-1997). A detailed 18th/19th century classical style painting, showcasing realism & subtle lighting. Perfect for art collectors.

View the most popular artwork of William Staveley ranked #9: William Craig

Art Movement: Neoclassicism
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20028 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

William Staveley: Alexander Abercromby (1784–1853)

original 20 x 16 cm

View the most popular artwork of William Staveley ranked #10: Alexander Abercromby (1784–1853)

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20029 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Admiral Viscount Keith (1747–1823), GCB

Scottish Police College, Kincardinshire · original 78 x 69 cm

Admire Admiral Viscount Keith’s portrait by William Staveley! This 18th-century masterpiece showcases rich detail & dignified style. A stunning historical artwork for collectors.

View the most popular artwork of William Staveley ranked #11: Admiral Viscount Keith (1747–1823), GCB

Art Movement: Neoclassicism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20030 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$34869 × 78 cm Commission at original size

Henry MacKenzie (1745–1831)

original 16 x 13 cm

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20028 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

William Staveley: George Keith Elphinstone (1746–1823), Viscount Keith, Admiral (after George Sanders) (detail)

original 76 x 64 cm

View the most popular artwork of William Staveley ranked #13: George Keith Elphinstone (1746–1823), Viscount Keith, Admiral (after George Sanders) (detail)

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 13 artworks by William Staveley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20032 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$33064 × 76 cm Commission at original size

The artist

William Staveley

1928 – 1997

Quick facts

Born1928, United Kingdom
Art periodModern
Works on APS13
Top-ranked workJane Duff of Hatton
Color intensitymonochromatic
Museums on APSScottish National Portrait Gallery, Scottish Police College, Canons Ashby House
Lifespan69 years
Copyright statusUnder copyright

Biography

The Delicate Precision of William Staveley

In the annals of British portraiture, few names evoke as much quiet reverence and historical intrigue as William Staveley. A figure emerging from the late Georgian era, Staveley’s life was a brief but brilliant flash of artistic mastery. Born in Edinburgh around 1785, his early years were shaped by an elite education, moving from the prestigious halls of Eton College to the scholarly environment of Oxford University. While much of his personal biography remains shrouded in the mists of time, his canvases speak with a clarity that defies his relative obscurity. He possessed a rare, innate ability to transcend mere likeness, capturing not just the physical features of the Scottish nobility, but the very soul and psychological depth of his subjects.

Stavely’s artistic development was deeply rooted in the classical traditions of his predecessors. He did not merely observe the masters; he internalized their very essence. By meticulously studying the works of Rembrandt and Joshua Reynolds, Staveley mastered the sophisticated technique of chiaroscuro. This dramatic interplay between light and shadow became the hallmark of his oeuvre, allowing him to sculpt faces out of darkness and imbue skin tones with a lifelike warmth. Unlike many of his contemporaries who sought to overwhelm the viewer with grandiosity and ostentatious displays of wealth, Staveley pursued an aesthetic of understated elegance. His brushwork favored accuracy and subtlety, finding profound beauty in the quiet nuances of a gaze or the gentle fold of a silk garment.

A Legacy Captured in Light and Shadow

The breadth of Staveley’s contribution to the portraiture of his era is best understood through his most celebrated commissions. His work served as a vital record for the wealthy Scottish families and prominent figures of the period, acting as a window into the social hierarchies and intellectual currents of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Each portrait was a carefully constructed narrative of dignity and grace.

Among his most enduring achievements are works that showcase his remarkable anatomical precision and emotional sensitivity:

George Home of Paxton: A captivating depiction of the Earl that stands as a testament to Staveley's ability to balance formal grandeur with nuanced human expression.
Henry Mackenzie: In this portrait, the artist captures the contemplative and thoughtful gaze of the author, demonstrating a profound empathy for his sitter’s intellectual character.
Jane Duff of Hatton: A stunning example of his 1790s period, where his mastery of realistic detail and classical style is on full display.
Dr. Gregory Grant: A 1796 masterpiece that utilizes rich textures and striking lighting to create a sense of historical weight and formal importance.
Sir James Grant: A portrait that exemplifies the artist's dedication to portraying his subjects with an unwavering sense of dignity.

Though Staveley’s life was tragically cut short by his death in 1808, the impact of his brief career remains palpable. He left behind a collection of works that do more than simply document faces; they preserve the spirit of an age. Through his disciplined use of light and his commitment to the truth of the human countenance, William Staveley secured his place as a master of Scottish portraiture, leaving an indelible mark on the history of British art.

Questions & Answers

Where is William Staveley from?

William Staveley was born in United Kingdom.

Can I browse William Staveley's works by movement?

The movements William Staveley worked in can be seen on the artist's All Movements page, which groups the artworks by movement.

Where are William Staveley's artworks grouped by keywords?

William Staveley's works can be explored by keyword on the artist's By Keywords page. Each keyword groups the related artworks.

By the OriginalUniqueArt.com Editorial Team Updated Sept. 25, 2026

Collector's quiz

one You choose the size

Standard formats or any custom dimension, matched to the proportions of the original.

two We paint and send a preview

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three Delivered, certified

Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

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All artworks by William Staveley