In the 1820’s, in his early career, Etty received critical acclaim.  An 1826 review for his ‘Choice of Paris’, described him as having talent that “no artist of the present day can equal”.  Etty continued to exhibit at the Royal Academy throughout his career but his work was not universally popular. His nudes were a particular source of criticism.  A review in the Times newspaper said, “nakedness without purity is offensive and indecent, and in Mr. Etty’s canvas is mere dirty flesh”.  Etty was seen by others as the best English painter of the nude, but he has never become a household name.
http://www.historyofyork.org.uk/themes/victorian/william-etty-artist

http://www.yorkartgallery.org.uk/exhibition/previous-exhibition-william-etty-art-and-controversy/

http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/william-etty-172