Background
He was was born in London in 1766. He was the son of James and Rachael Ward, and elder brother of James Ward.
He was was born in London in 1766. He was the son of James and Rachael Ward, and elder brother of James Ward.
He was the most distinguished pupil of J. Raphael Smith, and executed a great part of many of the plates which bear the name of that excellent engraver.
In 1795 he began to exhibit in the Royal Academy, of which in 1814 he was elected an associate engraver. He also held the appointment of mezzotint-engraver to the prince regent and the duke of York.
He executed six plates after Reynolds, engraved many of the works of his brother- in-law, George Morland, and his mezzotints after Andrew Geddes, which include the full-lengths of Sir David Wilkie and of Patrick Brydone, are of great merit.
He died in London on the ist. of December 1826.
His engravings are full of artistic spirit, and show fine feeling for colour; and they are excellently tender and expressive in their rendering of flesh. The partnership of William and James Ward produced the best that English art had to offer, their great technical skill and artistry having led to images that reflect the grace and charm of the era.
He was married to Maria Morland, sister of George Morland, and had two children - Martin Theodore Ward, d. 1874 and William James Ward, d. 1840.
