A missing painting of New Hall Mill by William J King

William Joseph King was once a prolific and renowned local artist who specialised in painting landscapes and marine subjects. He is, undeservedly I believe, less well known today. Above you can see one of the many paintings of Sutton Park which he completed during his long career.

William was born in Astley, Worcestershire, the eldest child of William and Harriet Kings, on 30th July 1858. His father was a labourer, working at one time as a coal wharf labourer, and later as an agricultural labourer. William was brought up with the last name Kings, but often used the name King in later life.

By the time of the 1881 census, William, aged 22, was living at 89 Park Road, Aston, as a lodger with the Morriss family. He was already stating that he was a landscape painter - it was an extraordinary leap from his father's career.

In 1883, William married Sarah Alice Knowles, the daughter of a confectioner, at a non-conformist chapel in Birmingham, Cherry Street Chapel. William and Sarah never had any children.

From 1892, another painter, Jonathan Pratt, lived with William and Sarah. His role in William's life is currently a mystery, but he was 23 years older than William. Perhaps Jonathan was a valued mentor, as he served as Secretary of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists.

William exhibited his paintings at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists between 1885 to 1943. He also exhibited at the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art and the Royal Scottish Academy.

Some time between 1901 and 1907, William, Sarah, and Jonathan Pratt, moved from 136 Albert Road, Aston Manor, to The Studio, 53 Highbridge Road, Wylde Green, which is about 25 minutes' walk from New Hall Mill. It is a pretty, but quite modest, semi-detached house, and William kept pigeons in the garden. Jonathan died in 1911, having lived 19 years with William and Sarah.

The Erdington News of 16th November 1907 included a review of a Local Artist's Exhibition, which mentions an image of New Hall Mill painted by William J King:

Many artists are men of one idea, that to say, they are wedded to one particular class of subject and to one medium. But this surely cannot be said of Mr William J King, the well-known Birmingham artist. No doubt he is happiest with oils, because most of his work has been done in this medium, but as those who have seen his pictures in monochrome in the local galleries from time to time know, he is also a successful black and white artist, while his watercolours are characterised by careful and conscientious work.

Mr King is just now holding a special exhibition of his works in his studio at Highbridge Road, Wylde Green, and the exhibition, which is thoroughly representative, is well worth inspection by all who are interested in local art. An additional element of interest is added by the participation of Mrs King, who has made a speciality of miniature landscapes, which she paints with delightful daintiness and skill. [...] In No 5, “New Hall Mill,” the artist has given a faithful rendering of a local subject which will appeal to all who are familiar with the locality. [...]

William died at his home on 16th January 1945, aged 85 years. Sarah died within a few short weeks of her husband, on 5th February 1945.

We would love to see this painting of New Hall Mill, so if you know where it is, please do let us know!