Sketcher, worked in Sydney. In 1874 the Sydney Mail reported:
Mr William Bryant, an artist of no mean ability, whose forte seems to be in pencil drawings, has now eight drawings of that description on view at Mr J.R. Hamilton’s, 74, William-street. All of these are elaborately finished, the work bestowed upon each being such as will bear a careful inspection. One of them, 'The Lago d’Orta’ (after W.C. Smith) seems to be the best, and rightly to be set down in Mr Bryant’s list as No.1. It represents a lake, or large expanse of water, near Naples; and in the tranquil bosom of the 'lago’ is a small island covered with picturesque buildings, apparently a monastery or convent. Mountains are seen in the background, and skiffs on the water, the foreground being skilfully and effectively drawn – the outworks of a fortress, with a steep road, groups of figures, and a glimpse down the abrupt declivity to the water’s edge. 'Carlingford Bay, county Down, Ireland’ (No.2), is also a very pleasing study – the boat harbour in front, the clouds, and the effects of morning light being all cleverly executed. Another good drawing is 'Oyster Bay, on the east coast of Tasmania’, wherein the sun is represented as rising beyond the hilly island which faces the entrance of that locality. The drawing of 'Mount Cook, in New Zealand – from the mouth of the Para Para’, has also many admirers. The remaining drawings are – 'Summer, on the Thames’ (a view taken above Putney), 'A Look-out on Christmas Eve’ [after J. A. Pasquier], 'Windsor Church, N.S.W.’ by moonlight, and 'Night’” ( Sydney Mail 29 August 1874: info. Jane Lennon).
Agricultural Society of NSW – Metropolitan Intercolonial Exhibition of 1875: 'The pencil drawings… by Mr W. Bryant (173, 174, 175, and 176) also merit an express mention’ ( Sydney Mail 17 April 1875: info. Jane Lennon).
NSW Academy of Art fourth annual exhibition 1875: W. Bryant – Artist – NSW – no.135 Ballynalinch – pencil – original – £9.9.0; no.136 Head of the Killeries, Connemara – pencil – original – £8.8.0; no.137 Lough Ina, Connemara – pencil – original – £7.7.0; no.138 Dumbrody Abbey, Waterford – pencil – original – £6.6.0. Note (from Jane Lennon): Bryant is listed as an 'Amateur’ in the catalogue but someone has crossed this out and substituted 'Artist’ – i.e. professional artist. 'Some pen and ink sketches by Mr J.R. Campbell evince considerable taste, and the same may be said of Mr W. Bryant’s pencil sketches’ ( Sydney Mail 3 April 1875: info. Jane Lennon).
- Writers:
- Staff Writer
- Date written:
- 1999
- Last updated:
- 2011
