Isaac Jehner facts for kids

Isaac Jehner (born December 2, 1750 – died 1818) was a talented British artist. He was known for his paintings and engravings. He worked in the West Country of England and in London. In 1806, he started using the name Jenner.

Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Isaac Jehner was born in Westminster, London. He was the youngest of eighteen children. His father, Johan Jehner, was a gunsmith from Germany. Isaac's mother passed away when he was very young.

When Isaac was eleven, he had an accident that injured his legs. This meant he had a smaller stature and faced physical challenges. He later wrote that he learned to read by eating gingerbread letters!

His father knew many artists. This helped young Isaac get an apprenticeship with an older draughtsman (someone who draws plans). When his master retired, he gave Isaac some basic art tools.

Learning to Engrave and Paint

Even with his leg injury, Isaac found work with a mezzotint engraver named William Pether. Mezzotint is a special way of engraving to create images with soft, rich tones.

Isaac soon realized that there was a lot of competition in the print business. To succeed, he decided to learn how to paint with oils. This would allow him to create original artworks, not just copies.

Adventures and New Skills

Isaac and his wife, Elizabeth, traveled to Lille, a city in France. There, Isaac continued to learn about painting. He also met Marmaduke Gwynne, who became an important business contact. Gwynne bought Isaac's prints and introduced him to other helpful people.

Isaac and Gwynne planned to return to the United Kingdom. However, Isaac was delayed because of a problem with his passport.

Moving Around England

In May 1780, Isaac, Elizabeth, and their baby son (also named Isaac) moved to Exeter. They stayed there for a short time before moving to Plymouth. In Plymouth, Isaac opened another drawing school. He also joined the local Freemasons group, which helped him get more work.

Isaac painted a special altarpiece (a piece of art behind an altar) in Saltash. This led to more important work at the famous St Mary, Redcliffe church in Bristol.

Working in Bristol and Woolwich

Isaac and his three sons lived in Bristol from 1785 to 1788. While there, he opened a shop in Bath. However, he found a more steady income by working for the Polygraphic Society in Woolwich.

The Polygraphic Society made copies of oil paintings at a lower cost. They did this by partly printing the design. They sold these artworks at Schomberg House in Pall Mall. Sadly, a fire in 1793 ended this business.

While in Woolwich, Isaac also created unique silk paintings. He used a new technique that made them look like beautiful stained glass.

Later Life and Legacy

Isaac Jehner's life story was shared in a short book he wrote in 1806. It was called "Fortune's Football: An autobiography for children." The book was published under the name "Isaac Jenner."

Isaac Jehner passed away in 1818. He left behind many engravings of his own art. He also created engravings based on paintings by other famous artists, such as Pieter Bruegel the Elder, William Hogarth, William Parry, and Antonio da Correggio.

Today, some of his work can be seen at the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Thomas Fox by (and engraved by) Isaac Jehner