Sir William Russell Flint

Sir William Russell Flint (1880–1969) was a renowned Scottish artist and illustrator, particularly celebrated for his watercolors of women. Born in Edinburgh, he received his early education at Daniel Stewart's College and the Edinburgh Institution. He trained as a lithographic draughtsman while studying art at the Royal Institute of Art in Edinburgh and later at the Heatherley School of Fine Art in London. Flint also worked as a medical illustrator and continued to refine his artistic skills independently at the British Museum.

Flint gained prominence as an artist for The Illustrated London News from 1903 to 1909 and illustrated several literary works, including H. Rider Haggard's King Solomon’s Mines and Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. His mastery in watercolors and intricate depictions of the female form, especially influenced by his fascination with Spanish dancers, became his signature style.

In 1936, Flint was elected president of the Royal Society of Painters in Watercolours, a position he held until 1956. He was knighted in 1947 for his contributions to the arts. Despite his commercial success, Flint’s eroticized portrayals of women attracted criticism for their perceived lack of subtlety.

Aside from his visual art, Flint also authored short stories, with a notable collection, Shadows in Arcady, published in 1965. He remained active as both an artist and writer until his death in London in 1969. His work continues to be admired for its technical brilliance and aesthetic appeal.