Quick Facts
Biography
Frederick Goodall RA (17 September 1822 in London – 29 July 1904) was an English artist.
Life
Goodall was born in 1822, the second son of steel line engraver Edward Goodall (1795–1870). He received his education at the Wellington Road Academy.
Frederick's first commission, for Isambard Brunel, was six watercolour paintings of the Rotherhithe Tunnel. Four of these were exhibited at the Royal Academy when Frederick was 16. His first oil won a Society of Arts silver medal. He exhibited work at the Royal Academy 27 times between 1838 and 1859. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy (ARA) in 1852 and a full Royal Academician (RA) in 1863.
Goodall visited Egypt in 1858 and again in 1870, both times travelling and camping with Bedouin tribesmen. In order to provide authentic detail to his paintings, Goodall brought back sheep and goats from Egypt. The Egyptian theme was prominent in his work, with 170 paintings being exhibited at the Royal Academy over 46 years.
Goodall's work received high praise and acclaim from critics and artists alike and he earned a fortune from his paintings. He had a home built at Grim's Dyke, Harrow Weald, where he would entertain guests such as the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII).
Family
Frederick married Anne Thomson in 1846. Among their children were artists Frederick Trevelyan, Howard and Herbert. Anne died in 1869. Frederick Trevelyan Goodall. was the most successful in a very short career. He died accidentally at the age of 24. In 1872, Frederick married Alice Tarry; they had two children, Frederica and Frederick W.
Frederick's brother, Edward Angelo Goodall (1819–1908) was also a highly gifted artist who exhibited at the RA from 1846 to 1853. A specialist in watercolours, he was invited to join the RWS (Royal Watercolour Society) in 1856 and exhibited 328 pictures at its exhibitions. It was Edward who had the distressing task of arranging the sale of his brother's pictures and effects when he was declared bankrupt in 1902. His other brother Walter Goodall was also a notable watercolour artist.