James Leakey facts for kids

James Leakey (1775–1865) was an English artist known for his beautiful landscape and portrait paintings. He was born a long time ago, in the late 1700s, and became famous for his detailed artwork, especially tiny paintings called miniatures.

James Leakey: A Talented Artist

Early Life and Art Career

James Leakey was born on September 20, 1775, in the city of Exeter in Devon, England. His father, John Leakey, worked in the wool business. When James was young, he was almost going to become a student of a very famous painter named Sir Joshua Reynolds, but sadly, Reynolds passed away around that time.

James decided to start his art career in Exeter. He painted many different things, like pictures of people (portraits), very small and detailed paintings (miniatures), and outdoor scenes (landscapes). He also created small paintings showing country life with groups of people. A famous person named Sir Francis Baring even bought one of these for a large sum of £500!

James spent most of his life in Exeter. However, from 1821 to 1825, he lived in London. During this time, he became good friends with other leading painters like Thomas Lawrence and David Wilkie. James Leakey passed away in Exeter on February 16, 1865.

His Amazing Artworks

Devonshire Landscape by James Leakey

James Leakey showed his paintings at the Royal Academy, a famous art exhibition in London. In 1821, he exhibited a painting called The Marvellous Tale. In 1822, he showed The Fortune Teller. Later, in 1838, he displayed both portraits and landscapes, and in 1846, he exhibited The Distressed Wife.

Leakey was especially well-known for his delicate miniatures. These were tiny, detailed paintings made with oil paints on ivory. These small artworks made him quite famous in his local area. You can still see some of his work today! For example, in the Exeter Guildhall, there is a portrait he painted of Henry Blackhall, who was the mayor of Exeter. There is also a copy he made of a portrait by Reynolds, showing John Rolle Walter. His portrait of John Haddy James (1788-1869), a surgeon, is kept at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. In 1846, an engraving was made by Samuel Cousins based on Leakey's portrait of John Rashdall, a minister from Exeter.

His Family and Legacy

In 1815, James Leakey married Eliza Hubbard Woolmer. They had eleven children together! One of their children was Caroline Leakey, who became a writer.

James Leakey is also known as the starting point of the famous Leakey family. This family later became well-known for its members specializing in fields like archaeology (studying ancient human history) and the military.