He was born in a family of artists. His father Archibald Webb and his brother Byron Webb were also noted painters.[3] He exhibited in London at the Royal Academy and the British Institute between 1850 and 1888, and many of his works still hang in London in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Tate Gallery. Other works are found in a large number of provincial galleries. Webb was a pupil of Clarkson Frederick Stanfield.[4]
1864: Fishing off the coast "Oil painting on canvas by James Webb", Richard Redding Antiques, includes one of the most detailed biographies available online
1868: A view of Margate from the Pier (a smaller version of the undated painting owned by Thanet District Council). There are additional figures in the front left group on the pier. Sold by Bonhams 2007, privately owned.