William Owen RA (1769-1825)
William Owen (1769-1825). Painter associated with 97 portraits. The Shropshire-born William Owen moved to London in 1786 and was apprenticed for seven years to the coach-painter Charles Catton. He was encouraged by Sir Joshua Reynolds to enter the Royal Academy Schools, which he did in 1791. His first work was exhibited at the Royal Academy in the following year and he continued to exhibit every nearly year until his death. Owen's work comprised mainly portraits and he built up a distinguished list of sitters including William Pitt, Lord Grenville and Sir John Soane. In 1810, Owen was appointed portrait painter to the Prince of Wales; the prince promised to sit for Owen but never did.