Early Life and Influences Sir William Blake Richmond (1809–1921) was born at 10 York Street, London, England on November 29, 1842. His father, George Richmond (RA), was an important portrait painter; his mother was Julia Tatham (1811–1881). He was named after a close friend of his father, the poet William Blake—a connection that profoundly shaped Richmond’s artistic vision and would resonate throughout his career. From a young age, Richmond demonstrated exceptional talent for drawing and painting, nurtured by a supportive family environment. His formative years were marked by an immersion in…