Johan Graham facts for kids
Johan Graham (born 1705 in London, died 1775 in London) was a painter from the 1700s. He was born in London, England, but spent most of his life working as an artist in cities like The Hague and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
About Johan Graham
Early Life and Training
Johan Graham was born in London in 1705. Even though he was born there, he spent most of his younger years and his career in The Hague, a city in the Netherlands. He started painting at a young age.
He learned from several famous artists of his time. These teachers included Arnold Houbraken, Jacques Ignatius de Roore, and Mattheus Terwesten. One of his teachers, Arnold Houbraken, passed away in 1718. This means Johan could only have studied with him for a short time.
Travels and Art
In 1719, Johan Graham traveled to Italy. He visited important art cities like Bologna, Venice, and Rome. These trips were very common for artists back then to learn new styles and techniques.
When he wasn't painting, Johan also taught English lessons to earn extra money. He became well-known for his special skill in decorating walls and ceilings with beautiful paintings.
In 1742, he became a member of a group called the Confrerie Pictura in The Hague. This was an important artists' guild, like a club for painters, which showed he was a recognized artist. He was still living in The Hague in 1750.
Later Life
In 1775, Johan Graham decided to sell his large collection of 136 paintings. After selling his art, he moved back to London with his older sister. He passed away in London later that same year.