Charles Bentley was born in Tottenham Court Road, London, the son of a carpenter, and is possibly the child baptised at St James’s, Paddington, on 24 August 1806.
on his own development as a watercolourist, as did the work of William Callow, who was also apprenticed to the Fielding brothers, and became a close friend.
In 1827, Bentley set up as an engraver, and worked as an illustrator, though with little financial success. Concentrating instead on watercolour, he was elected an associate of the Society of Painters in Water Colours in 1834, and a full member nine years later. Over thirty years, he exhibited 209 works with the society, also showing work at the Society of British Artists and the New Society of Painters in Water Colours.
address, 11 Mornington Place, Hampstead Road.
A poor businessman, ever in financial difficulties, Bentley left his wife and mother in near poverty when he died at home, of cholera, on 4 September 1854.
His studio sale was held at Christie’s on 16 April 1855.
His work is represented in numerous public collections, including the British Museum and the V&A; and The Whitworth Art Gallery (Manchester).