Thread: Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) was an inspired English portraitist, whose work shows considerable dash, & empathy with his sitters. His art, long unfashionable in Britain & Ireland, is now being recognised as some of the finest of the Romantic period - take a look! - ThreadSky

robertbohan.bsky.social • 15 hours ago

Thread: Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) was an inspired English portraitist, whose work shows considerable dash, & empathy with his sitters. His art, long unfashionable in Britain & Ireland, is now being recognised as some of the finest of the Romantic period - take a look!

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txensen.bsky.social•15 hours ago

I think I remember an influence on Sargent. Or am I making that up?

robertbohan.bsky.social•15 hours ago

He was born in Bristol to a family which later went into managing inns & Tom did portraits of visitors from the age of 8. Their inn went bankrupt & the family moved to Bath where 10y old Tom’s art supported them. A Boy (c1780) & Anna Maria Braine (1780s) in pastels.

robertbohan.bsky.social•15 hours ago

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robertbohan.bsky.social•15 hours ago

In Bath from 1779, Lawrence did portraits in pastel (a quick way of working). He quickly gained select sitters including nobility & actresses. Self-Portrait (1787-8), Mad Girl (1786) & Self-Portrait (1783-4). He graduated to oil paintings.

robertbohan.bsky.social•15 hours ago

Encouraged for his ability he was in London by 1787 & showing in the Royal Academy (RA) at just 18y. He exhibited there until his death. Self-Portrait (1787), Miss Martha Carr (1789) & William Linley (1789). He had an uncanny ability to place his subjects in the best light.

robertbohan.bsky.social•15 hours ago

His success led to his painting the Queen. She didn’t like the image but it’s exhibit at the RA raised his profile further. He became an associate RA in 1791. Elizabeth Farren (1790), Queen Charlotte (1789-90), Portrait of Lord Cavendish’s Children (1790) & Arthur Atherley (1792)

robertbohan.bsky.social•15 hours ago

A feature of the artist was his chronic indebtedness. It’s believed it was due to supporting his family & his collection of superb art. Emily & Harriet Lamb (1792), Lady Jane Long (1793) & Sarah Moulton (Pinkie) 1794. His images have come to define regency beauty.

grainneblair.bsky.social•3 hours ago

Thank you Robert they were very jealous of his genius and youth and then he replaced Reynolds as commissioned Royal painter. https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/name/thomas-lawrence-pra

frenchiedad0601.bsky.social•1 hour ago

Reminds me of a drawing I did years ago

grainneblair.bsky.social•3 hours ago

It’s stunning and immediately evokes that time period

ljblade.bsky.social•9 hours ago

Someone totally uneducated on art history here, why was his art considered unfashionable at the time?

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