George Lambert (English painter) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids George Lambert
Giles Hussey Portrait of a landscape painter, possibly George Lambert, between 1740 and 1750, Yale Center for British Art.
Born	1700 (1700) Kent, England
Died	(1765-11-30)30 November 1765 (aged 64–65) Covent Garden, London, England
Nationality	English
Known for	Landscape artist and theatre scene painter
Movement	Society of Artists of Great Britain Incorporated Society of Artists of Great Britain

George Lambert (born 1700, died 1765) was an English artist. He was famous for his beautiful landscape paintings. He also created amazing scenes for the theatre. Many people see him as one of the first important British landscape artists. He helped make landscape art popular in Britain.

Early Life and Art

George Lambert was born in Kent, England, around 1700. He learned to paint from artists like Warner Hassells and John Wootton. Soon, his landscape paintings started to get noticed.

Lambert painted many large and detailed landscapes. His style was similar to famous painters like Gaspar Poussin and Salvator Rosa. Many of his paintings were later made into prints by skilled engravers. These prints included views of Plymouth and Mount Edgcumbe. He also painted scenes of Saltwood Castle and Dover in Kent. One of his landscapes was given to the Foundling Hospital in London.

Theatre Scene Painter

Lambert also became very well-known for painting theatre scenes. He first worked for the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre in London. Later, he moved to the Covent Garden Theatre. There, he worked with another artist named Jacopo Amigoni. Together, they created theatre scenery that was much better than anything seen before.

Lambert was a fun and clever person. He often spent his evenings working in his painting room at Covent Garden Theatre. Important people from the fashion and theatre worlds would visit him there. They would share a simple supper of beefsteak, cooked right on the spot. These meetings led to the creation of the famous "Beefsteak Club." This club became very popular and well-respected. Sadly, most of Lambert's theatre paintings were lost. They were destroyed when Covent Garden Theatre burned down in 1808.

Artist Societies and Friends

George Lambert was a good friend of the famous artist William Hogarth. He was also part of a friendly group that met at 'Old Slaughter's' Tavern. In 1755, Lambert was on a committee of artists. They suggested creating a royal academy of arts in London.

He was a member of the Society of Artists of Great Britain. He showed his artwork with them from 1761 to 1764. In 1765, he and other members left this group. They formed a new one called the Incorporated Society of Artists of Great Britain. Lambert was chosen as its first president.

Lambert also worked with artist Samuel Scott. They painted a series of Indian views for the old East India House in London. Lambert also created two prints based on paintings by Salvator Rosa. In 1735, he worked with other artists like George Vertue and Hogarth. They helped pass a law that protected artists' copyright for their works. This meant artists had legal rights over their creations.

Famous Works and Legacy

One of Lambert's most famous paintings is "A view of Box Hill, Surrey" from 1733. This painting shows a beautiful spot south of London. William Hogarth thought Lambert was as good as the famous French landscape painter Claude Lorrain. Hogarth admired how Lambert used soft light to bring the whole scene together in his paintings. Even though Lambert never visited Italy, he was inspired by the classical style of landscape painting.

George Lambert passed away on November 30, 1765. He died at his home in Covent Garden, London. His students included John Inigo Richards and John Collett.

Gallery

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  A view of Box Hill, Surrey, 1733.

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  A Pastoral Landscape with Shepherds and their Flocks (1744).

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  View of Dunton Hall, Lincolnshire, 1739, possibly the earliest image of a Plot Elm (centre).