A tranquil landscape scene of a shepherd and his flock resting in a lane near Pevensey Bay, Sussex by William Luker. The ruins of Pevensey Castle can be seen in the distance with the sea beyond.

William Luker Snr was born in 1828 at Faringdon, Berkshire to William and Jane Luker (née Charlwood). His father was a plumber and glazier by trade and the family lived at London Street in Faringdon. Little is known about his early education and it is believed for the most part he was self -taught. However, given the quality of his work and the fact that his family were able to keep a servant, he may well have received some artistic tuition.

By the early 1850’s, he had begun earning a living as an artist by advertising in local directories, earning commissions from local landowners. He made his debut at the Royal Society of British Artists in 1851 and was a prolific exhibitor there for over 40 years. He began exhibiting at the Royal Academy in 1852 and also exhibited at the British Institution.

He married the artist Ada Augusta Margetts (1839-1930) on 27 October 1864. Their eldest son William Luker Jnr (1867-1951) also became a well-known artist. The couple soon moved to London where they lived at 22 Gloucester Terrace, Campden Hill from where they both exhibited. From 1867, they lived at 15 Sheffield Terrace in Kensington until 1874 when they moved for the final time to 22 Notting Hill Square, later renamed Campden Hill Square in 1893. He died at Campden Hill-square on 28 February, 1905.

Luker specialised in landscapes featuring animals such as sheep and cattle, horses and deer. He travelled around visiting areas such as Sussex, Buckinghamshire, Kent, Wales and the Highlands. However, he also made trips to Egypt and Libya producing a series of Oriental scenes in the early 1860’s. His works show a great attention to detail and his use of a lighter palette gives his subjects a luminous quality that instantly attracts the viewer. Examples of his paintings are held by the Atkinson Art Gallery, National Library of Wales, Newstead Abbey, Nottingham City Museum, Russell-Cotes Art Gallery, Sheffield Museum, Somerset Heritage Centre, William Morris Gallery and Wolverhampton Art Gallery.