Artist. A popular portrait painter of his time and known as a pastellist, he first studied under British artist George Romney before relocating to London, England in 1767, where he studied at the Royal Academy of the Arts in 1770, and won a silver medal for his work the following year. Around 1773 he began working with the noted British artist Joshua Reynolds, whose style greatly influenced his later work. During his career, he painted a number of famous people, including British General Charles Cornwallis (of the American Revolutionary War fame), Lord George Gordon, Angelika Kauffman, Frances Villiers (Countess of Jersey), Jane Gordon (Duchess of Gordon), and Peggy Shippen Arnold (2nd wife of Benedict Arnold). His other notable works include "Witches Round the Cauldron" (1775) and "The Heathcote Hunting Group" (1790). He died from liver failure around the age of 55. Many of his paintings are on display at several British museums, including the Abbot Hall Art Gallery in Kendal, the National Portrait Gallery in London, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Artist. A popular portrait painter of his time and known as a pastellist, he first studied under British artist George Romney before relocating to London, England in 1767, where he studied at the Royal Academy of the Arts in 1770, and won a silver medal for his work the following year. Around 1773 he began working with the noted British artist Joshua Reynolds, whose style greatly influenced his later work. During his career, he painted a number of famous people, including British General Charles Cornwallis (of the American Revolutionary War fame), Lord George Gordon, Angelika Kauffman, Frances Villiers (Countess of Jersey), Jane Gordon (Duchess of Gordon), and Peggy Shippen Arnold (2nd wife of Benedict Arnold). His other notable works include "Witches Round the Cauldron" (1775) and "The Heathcote Hunting Group" (1790). He died from liver failure around the age of 55. Many of his paintings are on display at several British museums, including the Abbot Hall Art Gallery in Kendal, the National Portrait Gallery in London, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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