R. Caton Woodville

Painter and illustrator Richard Caton Woodville (1856–1927), also known as R. Caton Woodville, was born in London on 7 January 1856. Woodville's mother, Antoinette Marie, née Schnitzler, painted portraits. His father Richard Caton Woodville (1825–1855) was an American painter who immigrated to London in 1852. Woodville studied in Russia, Düsseldorf, and Paris under Eduard von Gebhardt between 1876 to 1877, as well as J. L. Gérôme. He is best remembered for his military illustrations, especially for The Illustrated London News, during the Russo-Turkish War (1878), the Egyptian campaign (1882), the Boer Wars (1880–1881 and 1899–1902), and the First World War (1914-1918). His work with ILN began in 1877 when he returned to London. Woodville exhibited at the Royal Academy beginning in 1879 and was elected to the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in 1882. He received France’s Palmes académiques. Woodville executed commissions for Queen Victoria among notable European royalty, and several Indian princes. He married Annie Elizabeth Hill (b. 1854/5) that year, but they divorced in 1893. Afterwards, Woodville married Nellie Waddington, née Curtis, and after their divorce he cohabitated with, but never married, Madeleine Adelaide Scott (1876–1926). Woodville’s romantic life may be the cause of his never receiving a knighthood. He is the father of painter and illustrator William P. Caton Woodville (b.1884). Woodville committed suicide in London on 17 August 1927.

Further Reading

Chamot, Mary, Dennis Farr and Martin Butlin. The Modern British Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture. London: Oldbourne Press, 1964. Print.

Johns, Elizabeth and Paul Usherwood. "Woodville." Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. Oxford University Press. Web. 6 Mar. 2017.

Stearn, Roger. "Woodville, Richard Caton (1856–1927)." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. 2004. Web. 7 Oct. 2013.

Woodville, Richard Caton. Random Recollections. London: E. Nash, 1914. Print.

Waters, Grant M.."Woodville, Richard Caton, R.I. (1856-1927)." Dictionary of British Artists Working 1900- 1950. Eastbourne: Eastbourne Fine Art, 1975. 363-364. Print.