James Cranke
Encyclopedia
James Cranke was born at Little Urswick, near Barrow
, and lived there for most of his life. He was trained as a plasterer, but became a self taught portrait painter and attempted to make his name in London c.1737-52. He attended St. Martin's Lane Academy
and in 1744 he married a well known heiress
and opened his own studio in Bloomsbury Square
. Several art historians have recognised that he may have been more prolific had ill health not forced him to return home. His chosen medium was oil on canvas.
James Cranke taught the well-known artist George Romney
(1734–1802) how to paint when he was a small boy. Romney was born at Beckside, Dalton-in-Furness
, which was close to the home of the Cranke Family. James Cranke taught one of his sons, James Cranke Jr (1746–1826), to follow him as a portrait painter.
The success of James Cranke and his son as portrait painters helped their family to become important local landowners. Steelworks
In 1854 the Furness Railway persuaded their descendants to sell their rural estate at Hindpool
, and this enabled the development of Barrow as a town to begin in earnest.
James Cranke is also notable as the father of the mathematician John Cranke
. An altar painting of the Last Supper
by Cranke can be seen at St. Mary and St. Michael's Church, Great Urswick.
Barrow-in-Furness
Barrow-in-Furness is an industrial town and seaport which forms about half the territory of the wider Borough of Barrow-in-Furness in the county of Cumbria, England. It lies north of Liverpool, northwest of Manchester and southwest from the county town of Carlisle...
, and lived there for most of his life. He was trained as a plasterer, but became a self taught portrait painter and attempted to make his name in London c.1737-52. He attended St. Martin's Lane Academy
St. Martin's Lane Academy
The St. Martin's Lane Academy, which was the precursor of the Royal Academy, was organized in 1735 by William Hogarth, from the circle of artists and designers who gathered at Slaughter's Coffee House at the upper end of St. Martin's Lane, London. The artistic set that introduced the Rococo style...
and in 1744 he married a well known heiress
Beneficiary
A beneficiary in the broadest sense is a natural person or other legal entity who receives money or other benefits from a benefactor. For example: The beneficiary of a life insurance policy, is the person who receives the payment of the amount of insurance after the death of the insured...
and opened his own studio in Bloomsbury Square
Bloomsbury Square
Bloomsbury Square is a garden square in Bloomsbury, Camden, London.- Geography :To the north of the square is Great Russell Street and Bedford Place, leading to Russell Square. To the south is Bloomsbury Way. To the west is the British Museum and Holborn tube station is the nearest underground...
. Several art historians have recognised that he may have been more prolific had ill health not forced him to return home. His chosen medium was oil on canvas.
James Cranke taught the well-known artist George Romney
George Romney (painter)
George Romney was an English portrait painter. He was the most fashionable artist of his day, painting many leading society figures - including his artistic muse, Emma Hamilton, mistress of Lord Nelson....
(1734–1802) how to paint when he was a small boy. Romney was born at Beckside, Dalton-in-Furness
Dalton-in-Furness
Dalton-in-Furness is a small town of 8,394 people, north east of Barrow-in-Furness, in Cumbria, England.-History:Dalton is mentioned in the Domesday Book, written as "Daltune" as one of the townships forming the Manor of Hougun held by Earl Tostig. Historically, it was the capital of Furness...
, which was close to the home of the Cranke Family. James Cranke taught one of his sons, James Cranke Jr (1746–1826), to follow him as a portrait painter.
The success of James Cranke and his son as portrait painters helped their family to become important local landowners. Steelworks
In 1854 the Furness Railway persuaded their descendants to sell their rural estate at Hindpool
Hindpool
Hindpool is an area and electoral ward of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. It is bordered by Barrow Island, Central Barrow, Ormsgill, Parkside and the Walney Channel, the local population stood at 5,515 in 2001. The ward covers the entire western half of the town centre and includes Barrow's...
, and this enabled the development of Barrow as a town to begin in earnest.
James Cranke is also notable as the father of the mathematician John Cranke
John Cranke
John Cranke was an English scientific thinker and clergyman, particularly notable for starting a scientific genealogy producing some eight Nobel Prize winners in total. Cranke was admitted as a sizar at the age of 21 into Trinity College, University of Cambridge on July 1, 1767, after graduating...
. An altar painting of the Last Supper
Last Supper
The Last Supper is the final meal that, according to Christian belief, Jesus shared with his Twelve Apostles in Jerusalem before his crucifixion. The Last Supper provides the scriptural basis for the Eucharist, also known as "communion" or "the Lord's Supper".The First Epistle to the Corinthians is...
by Cranke can be seen at St. Mary and St. Michael's Church, Great Urswick.