Dyce, William (1806–1864)

Scottish artist. In subject and style – a highly detailed realism – he was a precursor of the Pre-Raphaelites. His best-known work is Pegwell Bay, Kent 1859–60 (Tate Gallery, London).

Born in Aberdeen, he trained in Edinburgh, London, and Rome. He was influenced by the early Florentine masters and also by the German Nazarenes, then settled in Rome. This made for an earnest style of painting, as in Titian's First Essay in Colouring 1856–57 (Aberdeen Art Gallery). He is noted for the Arthurian frescoes in the robing-room of the House of Lords, Westminster.