Davidson Knowles was a British 19th century painter of the Victorian Era, who became known for his elegant, dreamy suggestive landscapes, nudes and fairy tale-themed canvases. Little is known about his life and education. He was very much part of the London art world, being active there between 1879 till his death in 1914. His paintings are often narrative in nature, containing clues describing the subject of his paintings and adding to the depth of description for the onlooker. Davidson Knowles work was widely exhibited at numerous galleries throughout the country including, Royal Society of Artists in Birmingham, Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, Manchester City Art Gallery, New English Art Club, Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Royal Academy, Royal Society of British Artists and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. Throughout his long career, he adhered to different periods of style, orientalism, naturalism, symbolism and impressionism, just to name a few. Davidson Knowles was also a regular contributor to the Illustrated London News. He was elected a member of the Royal Society of British Artists from 1890 and the Suffolk Street Gallery in 1879. Numerous works by the artist are held in private and museum collections, such as in the North Kingston Centre, Shipley Art Gallery, Valence House Museum, Hertford Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.