Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Keyl, Frederick William
KEYL, FREDERICK WILLIAM (Friedrich Wilhelm) (1823–1873), animal painter, born at Frankfort-on-the-Maine on 17 Sept. 1823, showed at an early age a taste for drawing animals, and became a pupil of Eugene Verboeckhoven at Brussels. In May 1845 he came to London for the purpose of studying under Sir Edwin Landseer [q. v.] Landseer received Keyl as a pupil, and became much attached to him. Through Landseer Keyl was introduced to Queen Victoria and the prince consort, and obtained many commissions from the royal family. Keyl was a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy and British Institution, though he was naturally averse to exhibiting his works. He died in London on 5 Dec. 1873, and was buried in Kensal Green cemetery. There are three pleasing drawings by Keyl in the print room at the British Museum.
[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Graves's Dict. of Artists, 1760–1880; Bryan's Dict. of Painters, ed. Graves; Men of the Reign.]