In short
Of all the originals William Logsdail left, the most famous is An Auction in the Fishmarket at Antwerp (1880), in the collection of the Royal Collection, London. Close behind it come A Courtyard in Verona (1887) and A Venetian Interior of the 18th Century (1899). Our catalog holds 21 works by William Logsdail; the gallery has kept the 17 the world admires most, each shown with its date, its museum and its story.
William Logsdail's top 10 paintings: the gallery's choice
The William Logsdail selection continues, 11 to 17
The subjects that held William Logsdail's eye
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The museums that keep William Logsdail's originals
The 5 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by William Logsdail | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | The Reverend Alfred Nathaniel Holden Curzon, 4th Baron Scarsdale (1831-1916), Portrait of Mary Curzon, Baroness Curzon of Kedleston, Portrait of George Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston | ||
| 2 | James Watts, Magaret 'Madge' Frary Miller, Mrs James Watts (1879 - 1950) | ||
| London | 1 | An Auction in the Fishmarket at Antwerp | |
| Auckland | 1 | A Venetian Interior of the 18th Century | |
| Ottawa | 1 | Major-General Donald M. Hogarth |
William Logsdail decade by decade: the original that defines each
Works per decade
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
The Reverend Alfred Nathaniel Holden Curzon, 4th Baron Scarsdale (1831-1916)
Collectors' questions about William Logsdail's paintings
Which work is William Logsdail most famous for?Reveal the answer
An Auction in the Fishmarket at Antwerp (1880), Royal Collection, London. A Courtyard in Verona (1887) and A Venetian Interior of the 18th Century (1899) come next.
What age was William Logsdail when An Auction in the Fishmarket at Antwerp was made?Reveal the answer
21 years old: An Auction in the Fishmarket at Antwerp dates from 1880, and William Logsdail was born in 1859.
What are the ten most famous William Logsdail paintings?Reveal the answer
An Auction in the Fishmarket at Antwerp, A Courtyard in Verona, A Venetian Interior of the 18th Century, The Reverend Alfred Nathaniel Holden Curzon, 4th Baron Scarsdale (1831-1916), Portrait of Mary Curzon, Baroness Curzon of Kedleston, Portrait of George Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, Major-General Donald M. Hogarth, James Watts, Magaret 'Madge' Frary Miller, Mrs James Watts (1879 - 1950) and Piazza of St Mark's, Venice. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
How many paintings did William Logsdail leave?Reveal the answer
Our catalog holds 21 works by William Logsdail, dated from 1880 to 1928.
In which museums do William Logsdail's masterpieces hang?Reveal the answer
Mostly in Kedleston Hall, Greenway and Royal Collection (London). The museum table above lists them all.
In which years did William Logsdail paint the most famous works?Reveal the answer
In 1900s: 3 of the 17 works on this page were made then, The Reverend Alfred Nathaniel Holden Curzon, 4th Baron Scarsdale (1831-1916) among them.
What are the first and the last famous originals of William Logsdail?Reveal the answer
On this page, the earliest is An Auction in the Fishmarket at Antwerp (1880) and the latest James Watts (1928).
Which William Logsdail works hang at the Kedleston Hall?Reveal the answer
The Reverend Alfred Nathaniel Holden Curzon, 4th Baron Scarsdale (1831-1916), Portrait of Mary Curzon, Baroness Curzon of Kedleston and Portrait of George Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston: the Kedleston Hall holds 3 of the works on this page.
William Logsdail: life and work
William Logsdail: A Painter of London and Venice
William Logsdail (1859–1944) was a prolific English landscape, portrait, and genre painter who achieved considerable renown during the Victorian era. Born in Lincoln Cathedral, England, he possessed an early aptitude for art fostered by his father’s role as verger at the cathedral and encouraged by Edward R. Taylor, headmaster of Lincoln School (now Lincoln Christ's Hospital School), where Logsdail initially explored architectural pursuits before dedicating himself wholeheartedly to painting. His formative years were marked by academic excellence – he secured a gold medal at the École des Beaux-Arts in Antwerp, surpassing students from other prominent British art schools—a testament to his talent and ambition.- Early Life & Education: Logsdail’s upbringing instilled in him a disciplined approach to learning and artistic development. He attended Lincoln School of Art, honing his skills under Edward R. Taylor's guidance, specializing in architectural design alongside his burgeoning passion for painting.
- Antwerp Influence: Studying at the École des Beaux-Arts in Antwerp provided Logsdail with invaluable exposure to European artistic traditions and techniques, notably those championed by Michel Marie Charles Verlat. This period solidified his commitment to plein air painting—capturing landscapes directly from nature—a stylistic hallmark of his oeuvre.
- Venetian Period: From 1880 until 1900, Logsdail resided in Venice, immersing himself in the city’s artistic atmosphere and producing a series of celebrated paintings that exemplify Venetian Romanticism. Notably, ‘The Piazza of St Mark’s,’ though initially deemed underwhelming by the Royal Academy, remains an iconic depiction of Venetian grandeur.
Notable Achievements & Artistic Style
Logsdail's artistic style was characterized by meticulous realism combined with a masterful command of color and texture—particularly evident in his landscapes and portraits. He achieved considerable acclaim for his depictions of London and Venice, capturing the essence of urban life and architectural beauty with remarkable precision. His penchant for plein air painting allowed him to convey the immediacy and vibrancy of natural light, resulting in canvases imbued with atmospheric depth and emotional resonance. Furthermore, Logsdail’s prolific output included sixty-nine small paintings commissioned by the Fine Art Society exploring the French and Italian Riviera—a testament to his versatility and dedication to artistic exploration.- Royal Academy Recognition: ‘The Piazza of St Mark’s,’ despite initial reservations regarding its composition, was awarded the Royal Academy's 'Picture of the Year' in 1883, cementing Logsdail’s reputation as a leading artist of his time.
- Venetian Landscape Paintings: His Venetian landscapes—particularly those capturing the Piazza San Marco—are considered masterpieces of Romanticism, showcasing exceptional detail and conveying the sublime beauty of the Venetian cityscape.




