John Byam Liston Shaw: Early Influences

"Love's Baubles" by Byam Shaw

"John Byam Liston Shaw was born on November 13th, 1872, at Ferndale, Madras, India. His father was Registrar of the High Court of Madras. The first incident recorded of the little Byam might well be that of one of his own pictures. Being missed, and a search organized, the child was found riding a pony at the head of a native procession. We are not told how he was dressed, but he is described as a pretty child, with a bright complexion and thick, golden-red hair in close curls round his head.

In 1878 his father returned to England, bringing the boy with him, to meet for the first time his brother and sister, who had lived with their grandmother at Bath. Here he was given his first lessons in drawing by Mr. Bennett. The following year the family settled in London, the father practicing as a solicitor. Too delicate for school, his education was undertaken by his mother and a governess, and influenced by his father, who, seeing the child absorbed in drawing (for he used to illustrate the tales read to him) and recognizing his destiny, took infinite pains that his mind and sight should be attracted by the best in literature and art. And so it came about that the boy's playbooks were those illustrated with prints, such as Raphael's cartoons, which he took pleasure in copying. He also had the run of the library and was soon familiar with Shakespeare and books not usually read at his age. 

His own bent to become an artist was unceasingly expressed. When, at eight years old, he was thrown from a donkey and hurt his left arm his only remark was: 'It's not my drawing arm.' This happened when he had just begun drawing lessons under Mr. J.A. Vinter, who taught him admirably, until he was fifteen. It was then that his father died suddenly and the future of the lad had to be decided. Fortunately his tutor and his mother believed in his talent, but confirmation was necessary to convince other members of the family, and so Sir John Millais was asked to see his work. This he did, and gave the most kindly and encouraging advice, resulting in Byam being enrolled as a student at St. John's Wood Art Schools."

To be continued

(Excerpts from "The Art & Life of Byam Shaw" by Rex Vicat Cole.)