The Ferryman by William Stott of Oldham, 1882

William Stott (1857–1900) was a painter born in Oldham, Lancashire, England. He was born on the 20 November 1857, the son of an Oldham cotton mill owner. After studying in Oldham and Manchester School of Art he went to Paris and studied under the French painter Jean-Léon Gérôme. He achieved rapid success, exhibiting regularly at the Paris Salon. He was an influential member of the artists' colony at Grez-sur-Loing which was full of English, Irish, Scottish and American artists.