James Baker Pyne
Encyclopedia
James Baker Pyne was an English
landscape painter
who became a successful follower of Turner
, after having been in his earlier years a member of the Bristol School
of artists and a follower of Francis Danby
.
, England
and taught himself to paint. He took part in the sketching activities of the Bristol School in the 1820s, and exhibited for the first time in Bristol in 1824.
His style and subject matter, namely the atmospheric depiction of local landscapes and imaginary scenes, were those of Danby and the Bristol School, among whom he was one the most able oil painters
. Examples were Imaginary Scene (1828) and View of the Avon from Durdham Down (1829).
In 1832, after producing some oil paintings of the Bristol Riots
, he spent 6 weeks in France with his fellow Bristol School artist Edward Villiers Rippingille
. Pyne also seems to have participated from 1832–33 in the revival of the Bristol School's sketching meetings.
had been apprenticed to Pyne during 1827–29/30. However Müller did not remain much influenced by Pyne and the other Bristol School artists. Pyne himself did not long continue in the style of Danby's "poetical" landscapes. In the mid 1830s, probably in 1835, he moved to London
where he developed his mature style. His landscapes now followed Turner in their colours and style of composition. Turner's influence can be seen for example in Clifton, Near Bristol, from the Avon (1837), which was exhibited at the Royal Academy
. Pyne exhibited at the British Institution
during 1833–44 and at the Royal Academy during 1836–41. He became Vice President of the Society of British Artists
.
In 1846 he travelled to Germany, Switzerland and Italy. He often painted in the Lake District. The art dealership Thomas Agnew and Sons commissioned him to paint in the Lake District in 1848, and then in 1851 to make a three year tour of Italy, in which he was accompanied by the Bristol watercolourist William Evans.
Pyne died on 29 July 1870 in London, leaving sons James Baker Pyne, a photographer, and Charles Pyne, an artist.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
landscape painter
Landscape art
Landscape art is a term that covers the depiction of natural scenery such as mountains, valleys, trees, rivers, and forests, and especially art where the main subject is a wide view, with its elements arranged into a coherent composition. In other works landscape backgrounds for figures can still...
who became a successful follower of Turner
J. M. W. Turner
Joseph Mallord William Turner RA was an English Romantic landscape painter, watercolourist and printmaker. Turner was considered a controversial figure in his day, but is now regarded as the artist who elevated landscape painting to an eminence rivalling history painting...
, after having been in his earlier years a member of the Bristol School
Bristol School
The Bristol School is a term applied retrospectively to describe the informal association and works of a group of artists working in Bristol, England, in the early 19th century. It was mainly active in the 1820s, although the origins and influences of the school have been traced over the...
of artists and a follower of Francis Danby
Francis Danby
Francis Danby was an Irish painter of the Romantic era. His imaginative, dramatic landscapes were comparable to those of John Martin. Danby initially developed his imaginative style while he was the central figure in a group of artists who have come to be known as the Bristol School...
.
Early life
Pyne was born on 5 December 1800 in BristolBristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and taught himself to paint. He took part in the sketching activities of the Bristol School in the 1820s, and exhibited for the first time in Bristol in 1824.
His style and subject matter, namely the atmospheric depiction of local landscapes and imaginary scenes, were those of Danby and the Bristol School, among whom he was one the most able oil painters
Oil painting
Oil painting is the process of painting with pigments that are bound with a medium of drying oil—especially in early modern Europe, linseed oil. Often an oil such as linseed was boiled with a resin such as pine resin or even frankincense; these were called 'varnishes' and were prized for their body...
. Examples were Imaginary Scene (1828) and View of the Avon from Durdham Down (1829).
In 1832, after producing some oil paintings of the Bristol Riots
Bristol Riots
The Bristol riots refer to a number of significant riots in the city of Bristol in England.- Bristol Bridge riot, 1793 :The Bristol Bridge Riot of 30 September 1793 began as a protest at renewal of an act levying of tolls on Bristol Bridge, which included the proposal to demolish several houses...
, he spent 6 weeks in France with his fellow Bristol School artist Edward Villiers Rippingille
Edward Villiers Rippingille
-External links:*...
. Pyne also seems to have participated from 1832–33 in the revival of the Bristol School's sketching meetings.
Later years
William James MüllerWilliam James Müller
William James Müller , English landscape and figure painter, the best-known artist of the Bristol School.-Biography:...
had been apprenticed to Pyne during 1827–29/30. However Müller did not remain much influenced by Pyne and the other Bristol School artists. Pyne himself did not long continue in the style of Danby's "poetical" landscapes. In the mid 1830s, probably in 1835, he moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
where he developed his mature style. His landscapes now followed Turner in their colours and style of composition. Turner's influence can be seen for example in Clifton, Near Bristol, from the Avon (1837), which was exhibited at the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
. Pyne exhibited at the British Institution
British Institution
The British Institution was a private 19th-century society in London formed to exhibit the works of living and dead artists; it was also known as the Pall Mall Picture Galleries or the British Gallery...
during 1833–44 and at the Royal Academy during 1836–41. He became Vice President of the Society of British Artists
Royal Society of British Artists
The Royal Society of British Artists is a British art body established in 1823 as the Society of British Artists, as an alternative to the Royal Academy.-History:...
.
In 1846 he travelled to Germany, Switzerland and Italy. He often painted in the Lake District. The art dealership Thomas Agnew and Sons commissioned him to paint in the Lake District in 1848, and then in 1851 to make a three year tour of Italy, in which he was accompanied by the Bristol watercolourist William Evans.
Pyne died on 29 July 1870 in London, leaving sons James Baker Pyne, a photographer, and Charles Pyne, an artist.