William Howard Yorke, the son of painter William Gay Yorke, was born November 4th, 1847 in St. John's, New Brunswick. In the 1850's, the family moved to Liverpool.

 

He remained in England and was active from 1858 until 1913. Yorke was quite prolific, although he only worked for local patrons, receiving painting commissions from many senior merchant seamen and ship owners. He painted well-executed ship portraits showing an accurate view of the ship with all nautical details, often with local background. A trait of his later paintings are hull reflections at bow and stern in the sea.

 

William Howard Yorke’s paintings are in several important museums worldwide.