kids encyclopedia robot

Archer James Oliver facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
George Children by Archer James Oliver
Portrait of George Children by Archer James Oliver

Archer James Oliver was a talented British painter. He lived from 1774 to 1842. Oliver was especially known for painting portraits of people. He was also an Associate of the Royal Academy, which is a big honor for an artist in Britain.

Archer James Oliver's Life and Art

His Early Life and Training

Archer James Oliver was born in 1774. His parents were John and Anna Maria Oliver. He was christened, which means he was officially named in a church, on October 3, 1774. This happened at St Mary's church in Whitechapel, London.

When he was older, Oliver decided to study art. He joined the Royal Academy on August 13, 1790. This was a very important art school in London.

What He Painted

Oliver was a very busy artist. He showed many of his paintings at important art exhibitions. He displayed 210 paintings at the Royal Academy between 1791 and 1841. He also showed 62 paintings at the British Institution.

Most of his early work was portraits. He painted many different people. Later in his career, he also painted other types of art. These included still lifes, which are pictures of objects like fruit, nuts, or dead animals. He also painted some scenes from the Bible.

Famous People He Painted

Many of Oliver's portraits were made into engravings. This meant copies could be printed and shared widely. Some of the important people he painted included:

  • George Children: A well-known banker.
  • Sir Berkeley Guise, 2nd Baronet: A politician.
  • Charles Morris: A famous songwriter.
  • Robert Morris: Another politician.
  • Vicesimus Knox: A minister.
  • Robert Blake: A solicitor, which is a type of lawyer.

In 1803 and 1804, Oliver showed some special portraits. These were of members of the Howard family. He painted them in old-fashioned medieval clothes. These paintings were meant to be ideas for stained glass windows. They were planned for a place called Arundel Castle.

Becoming an Associate of the Royal Academy

Archer James Oliver was recognized for his artistic talent. On November 2, 1807, he was chosen as an Associate of the Royal Academy. This was a significant achievement for him as an artist.

kids search engine
Archer James Oliver Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.