William Capon (artist)

William Capon (1480 – 1532) was an English artist primarily known for his architectural drawings and paintings. While details of his early life and training remain scarce, Capon is recognized for his depictions of royal palaces and ecclesiastical buildings, offering valuable insights into the architectural landscape of Tudor England.

Capon served as a royal painter to King Henry VIII, and his works provide visual records of significant structures like Greenwich Palace, Nonsuch Palace, and various monastic buildings prior to their dissolution. His painting style, though somewhat rudimentary compared to later artistic movements, meticulously details architectural features, including elevations, plans, and ornamentation.

Several of Capon's works are housed in collections such as the British Library and the Society of Antiquaries of London. His contributions are particularly important because many of the buildings he documented have been altered or destroyed, making his renderings a crucial historical resource for architectural historians and researchers. He is not to be confused with his descendant, William Capon (1757-1827), who was also an architectural draughtsman.