John William Wright
Encyclopedia
John William Wright was an English
genre and portrait
watercolour painter, and illustrator
.
in 1802, the son of John Wright (d. 1820), a miniature painter
of repute, acquainted with leading artists of the day such as John Hoppner
, Thomas Lawrence
and William Owen (1769–1825). His mother, Priscilla (née Guise) was also a good miniaturist, but died when John William was still an infant in 1802. At the age of 10 he was sent to school at Loughborough House in Brixton
but had to be withdrawn due to ill-health, which he suffered from throughout his life. He was apprenticed to Thomas Phillips
(1770–1845), and from 1825 was a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy
, mainly of portraits. In 1831 he was elected an associate of the Old Watercolour Society
, and in 1842 a full member; in 1844 he succeeded Robert Hills (1769–1844) as secretary.
Wright painted domestic and sentimental subjects in the style then popular, and also historical compositions, notable for their detailed depictions of costumes; the plays of Shakespeare were a frequent source of inspiration. Engravings of his pictures featured in publications such as "The Keepsake
", "The Literary Souvenir", and Heath's
"Book of Beauty", "The Drawing-room Scrap Book", and "The Female Characters of Shakespeare". His portraits of Lord Tenterden, Bishop Gray, and Bishop Marsh were engraved for Fisher's "National Portrait Gallery".
Wright died at his house in Great Marlborough Street
, London, on the 14th January 1848, from influenza
, leaving a widow and two children. The remaining works in his studio were sold by Christie & Manson
in March, the same year.
Note: John William Wright and John Massey Wright (1777–1866) have been frequently confused with each other (according to the Folger Shakespeare Library
), as they both worked for Charles Heath and their birth and death dates overlap.
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...
genre and portrait
Portrait painting
Portrait painting is a genre in painting, where the intent is to depict the visual appearance of the subject. Beside human beings, animals, pets and even inanimate objects can be chosen as the subject for a portrait...
watercolour painter, and illustrator
Illustrator
An Illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text...
.
Life and work
Wright was born in LondonLondon
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...
in 1802, the son of John Wright (d. 1820), a miniature painter
Portrait miniature
A portrait miniature is a miniature portrait painting, usually executed in gouache, watercolour, or enamel.Portrait miniatures began to flourish in 16th century Europe and the art was practiced during the 17th century and 18th century...
of repute, acquainted with leading artists of the day such as John Hoppner
John Hoppner
John Hoppner was an English portrait painter, .-Early life:Hoppner was born in Whitechapel, London, the son of German parents - his mother was one of the German attendants at the royal palace. King George's fatherly interest and patronage of the young boy gave rise to rumours, quite unfounded,...
, Thomas Lawrence
Thomas Lawrence
Thomas Lawrence may refer to:*Sir Thomas Lawrence, British artist, President of Royal Academy*Thomas Lawrence , mayor of colonial Philadelphia*T. E. Lawrence, "Lawrence of Arabia"*Thomas Lawrence , U.S. politician...
and William Owen (1769–1825). His mother, Priscilla (née Guise) was also a good miniaturist, but died when John William was still an infant in 1802. At the age of 10 he was sent to school at Loughborough House in Brixton
Brixton
Brixton is a district in the London Borough of Lambeth in south London, England. It is south south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
but had to be withdrawn due to ill-health, which he suffered from throughout his life. He was apprenticed to Thomas Phillips
Thomas Phillips
Thomas Phillips was a leading English portrait and subject painter. He painted many of the great men of the day including scientists, artists, writers, poets and explorers.-Life and work:...
(1770–1845), and from 1825 was a frequent exhibitor 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...
, mainly of portraits. In 1831 he was elected an associate of the Old Watercolour Society
Royal Watercolour Society
The Royal Watercolour Society is an English institution of painters working in watercolours...
, and in 1842 a full member; in 1844 he succeeded Robert Hills (1769–1844) as secretary.
Wright painted domestic and sentimental subjects in the style then popular, and also historical compositions, notable for their detailed depictions of costumes; the plays of Shakespeare were a frequent source of inspiration. Engravings of his pictures featured in publications such as "The Keepsake
The Keepsake
The Keepsake was an English literary annual which ran from 1828 to 1857, published each Christmas for perusal during the year of the title...
", "The Literary Souvenir", and Heath's
Charles Heath
Charles Theodosius Heath was an English engraver, currency and stamp printer, book publisher and illustrator.-Life and work:...
"Book of Beauty", "The Drawing-room Scrap Book", and "The Female Characters of Shakespeare". His portraits of Lord Tenterden, Bishop Gray, and Bishop Marsh were engraved for Fisher's "National Portrait Gallery".
Wright died at his house in Great Marlborough Street
Great Marlborough Street
Great Marlborough Street runs west to east through the western part of Soho in London. At its western end it joins Regent Street. Streets intersecting, or meeting with, Great Marlborough Street are, from west to east, Kingly Street, Argyll Street, Carnaby Street, and Poland Street...
, London, on the 14th January 1848, from influenza
Influenza
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae , that affects birds and mammals...
, leaving a widow and two children. The remaining works in his studio were sold by Christie & Manson
Christie's
Christie's is an art business and a fine arts auction house.- History :The official company literature states that founder James Christie conducted the first sale in London, England, on 5 December 1766, and the earliest auction catalogue the company retains is from December 1766...
in March, the same year.
Note: John William Wright and John Massey Wright (1777–1866) have been frequently confused with each other (according to the Folger Shakespeare Library
Folger Shakespeare Library
The Folger Shakespeare Library is an independent research library on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., in the United States. It has the world's largest collection of the printed works of William Shakespeare, and is a primary repository for rare materials from the early modern period...
), as they both worked for Charles Heath and their birth and death dates overlap.
External links
- J. W. Wright on Artnet
- J W Wright at the National Portrait Gallery
- The Love Letter (Sim Fine Art)
- The return (engraving by H. Cook - National Maritime MuseumNational Maritime MuseumThe National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England is the leading maritime museum of the United Kingdom and may be the largest museum of its kind in the world. The historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, it also incorporates the Royal Observatory, Greenwich,...
) - The maiden's return (engraving by W. C. Wrankmore - National Maritime Museum)
- Who's there (engraving by W.C Wrankmore - National Maritime Museum)