James Smetham (1821-1889) was an English painter, poet and teacher, who produced over 500 artworks, as well as poems. Born in the Yorkshire countryside to a devout, middle-class Wesleyan-Methodist family, Smetham understood and revelled in nature and the teachings of God. At eight years of age, he already started his ventures into the creative arts by writing poetry and copying paintings. Earning a modest living in his twenties and early thirties as a travelling, commercial portraitist, Smetham became a disciple and good friend of several Pre-Raphaelites.
We are grateful to Third Year History of Art students at Oxford Brookes University for creating this exhibition as part of their 'Curatorial Practice' module.
James Smetham (1821–1889)
Oil on panel
H 8.8 x W 29 cm
The Oxford Centre for Methodism and Church History
Self Portrait 1855
James Smetham (1821–1889)
Oil on board
H 10 x W 7 cm
The Oxford Centre for Methodism and Church History
James Smetham (1821–1889)
Watercolour with pen & ink on paper
H 12.1 x W 19.7 cm
The Oxford Centre for Methodism and Church History
The Lobster Pot Mender 1821–1889
James Smetham (1821–1889)
Watercolour on paper
H 18 x W 50 cm
The Oxford Centre for Methodism and Church History
‘Piping down the valleys wild’ c.1876
James Smetham (1821–1889)
Oil on canvas
H 14.5 x W 34.5 cm
The Oxford Centre for Methodism and Church History
A Pilgrim at Stonehenge c.1875
James Smetham (1821–1889)
Watercolour & coloured chalks
H 10.2 x W 34.3 cm
The Oxford Centre for Methodism and Church History
