Henry Tresham facts for kids
Henry Tresham (born around 1751 – died June 17, 1814) was an important artist. He was born in Ireland but worked mostly in London, England. He was known for his large "history paintings." These paintings showed famous events from history, myths, or stories.
Early in his career, Henry Tresham lived in Rome, Italy. Later, he became a professor of painting at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. He held this teaching role from 1807 to 1809.
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Henry Tresham's Life and Art
Early Life and Training
Henry Tresham was born in about 1751. He first learned about art from a teacher named W. Ennis. Ennis was a student of Robert West at the Dublin Art School in Ireland.
Time in Rome
In 1775, Tresham moved to England. However, he spent most of the next fourteen years living in Rome, Italy. While there, he became good friends with other British artists. These included Thomas Jones and Gavin Hamilton.
Like many artists in Rome, Tresham also worked as a "dealer." This means he helped buy and sell old artworks and objects. He worked with Gavin Hamilton and Thomas Jenkins. He helped sell ancient items to important people like Frederick Hervey and John Campbell.
Tresham also helped connect John Campbell with a famous sculptor named Antonio Canova. There is even a pastel drawing showing Canova in his studio with Henry Tresham. It shows a model of a sculpture that Campbell had asked for. This drawing is now in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Return to Britain and Famous Paintings
Henry Tresham came back to Britain in 1788. He became well-known for his large history paintings. These artworks often looked a bit like the paintings of Henry Fuseli. Tresham's ideas for these big paintings came from his travels and studies in Rome.
Working with the Royal Academy
In 1791, Tresham became an Associate of the Royal Academy. This is a famous art institution. He became a full member, called an Academician, in 1799.
Soon after, he was involved in a disagreement about how the Royal Academy was run. He felt that the rules in its founding document were not being followed. The rules said that all members should take turns serving on the Academy's council. But instead, people were voting for council members. Tresham complained to the king, and his complaint was successful. The rule about members taking turns on the council was brought back.
Tresham taught painting at the Royal Academy from 1807 to 1809. He also took part in several big history painting projects in London. These included Robert Bowyer's History Gallery, the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery, and Thomas Macklin's Holy Bible project.
Henry Tresham passed away in 1814.
