William Muckley 

Biography of William Muckley  ( 1829-1905 )

William Jabez Muckley, born on 23 March 1829 in Wordsley, Staffordshire, was an English artist known for his mastery of glass engraving and for his contributions to the fine arts, particularly as a teacher and author. Born into a modest family, he learned the art of engraving at an early age with the glass company W.H.B. & J. Richardson, where he soon became their principal engraver and designer. From the outset, Muckley left his mark on the field, contributing to the engravings that made the company's reputation at the 1851 World's Fair, when he was just 22 years old.

After the company went bankrupt in 1852, Muckley decided to train in the visual arts and entered the Birmingham School of Art. His remarkable abilities earned him a National Scholarship, a distinction that rewards the best talents in British art schools. Thanks to this scholarship, he continued his studies in London and Paris, perfecting his skills and obtaining several diplomas.

Muckley then devoted part of his career to teaching at a number of schools; he first headed the Burslem School of Art for several years, then became principal of the Wolverhampton School of Fine Arts, before taking charge of the Manchester School of Fine Arts in 1862. At the same time, he regularly exhibited his work, notably at the Royal Academy in London, where it was shown almost every year from 1859 to 1904, as well as at Suffolk Street, the Royal Institution and the Grosvenor Gallery.

In addition to his artistic activity, Muckley wrote several books for art students, reflecting his concern to pass on his knowledge. In 1878, he published The Student's Manual of Artistic Anatomy, an illustrated guide to the bone and muscle structures of the human body, designed to help artists understand anatomy. In 1882, he published A Handbook for Painters and Art Students, a practical manual advising on the choice and durability of colours, as well as oil and watercolour painting techniques. Other works followed, reinforcing his influence as an expert and teacher in the field of art.

Around 1900, Muckley retired to White Notley Hall in Essex, where he died on 30 August 1905.