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William Augustus Murray Prior
Two portraits of William M-P.
The first was identified as William by Minnie Violet (Vi) M-P.1) E.S M-P understood that this portrait was also a self-portrait by William.2)
William was Thomas and Eliza Prior's younger son, a soldier and artist. He was born on 18 November 1821 at Bruges, then in the Netherlands, now in Belguim.3) He was baptised at Bray in Berkshire on 19 January 1825.4) His baptism as a three-year old is further confirmation that his parents were evangelical Anglicans. His second name was probably a tribute to his uncle Augustus Skynner.5)
William died at Portsmouth from a gunshot wound on 5 February 1844 – presumably an accident when training. He was buried in the Portsmouth Garrison Cemetery. When listing his family, his brother consistently TLM-P wrote that William died aged 22 years, 2 months and 18 days old – a precision which suggests profound grief.6) Five years later, TLM-P and his wife named their second son William Augustus: sadly this William soon died.7)
William's Art
William was also an artist. The seriousness with which he took his art is seen by a very large, thick, heavy album in which he collected his sketches and examples of art.8) There is also a smaller volume engraved ‘Bruges 1841’ containing lithographs of sketches of life in Bruges.9)
As noted, it is probable that William painted portraits of his sister and mother, as well as self-portrait/s. The following sketches are definitely or probably William's.10).This sketch has the faint signature W.M.P.(a dash at line level was then a full stop).
This second sketch is on the other side of the paper, so is presumably also by William, and of his army comrades.
The third sketch has the faint date 1818 and is probably by William of an army comrade.
This badly deteriorated painting on wood was believed to be by William.
The writing below this sketch is unclear but has the name William Prior. The next sketches are on the reverse:
This unfinished sketch was from a collection most likely drawn by William M-P. Given the age of the woman and that it was kept by the family, it is perhaps one of his step-sisters, Jemima or Louisa.
In addition, in his will, TLM-P left his daughter Rosa Praed, a 'portrait of my Mother by W.A. M. Prior'11)