John Boyne (artist) facts for kids

John Boyne was an Irish artist who lived a long time ago, from around 1750 to 1810. He was known for his beautiful water-colour paintings, his detailed engravings, and his funny caricatures.

The Life of John Boyne

Shepherd with Dog and Sheep, a lithograph from 1806

John Boyne was born in County Down, Ireland, sometime between 1750 and 1759. When he was about nine years old, John and his father moved from Ireland to England.

He learned his art skills by becoming an apprentice to William Byrne, a famous landscape engraver. However, he didn't find much success as an engraver at first.

For a while, he joined a group of traveling actors. But in 1781, he came back to London. In London, he started teaching art at a drawing school. This helped him get back into creating his own artwork.

From 1788 to 1809, John Boyne showed 18 of his paintings and caricatures at the Royal Academy. This was a very important art exhibition.

The British Museum has two of his drawings. These drawings are from a series about characters from Shakespeare's plays. They show "King Lear" and "The Quack Doctor." Another one of his works, "C. Macklin and Miss Pope as Shylock and Portia," was made into an engraving in 1790. The Royal Collection Trust also owns several pieces of art by or inspired by Boyne.

John Boyne passed away at his home in Penton Place, Pentonville, London, on June 22, 1810.

Famous Artworks

Here are some of John Boyne's well-known artworks:

• "Meeting of Connoisseurs" is kept at the V&A museum.
• "Banditti" was created in 1783.
• "General Blackbeard wounded at the battle of Leadenhall" was made in 1784.