John Butts (painter) facts for kids
John Butts (born around 1728 – died 1764 or 1765) was an Irish artist who specialized in painting beautiful outdoor scenes. He was known for his pictures of forests, rivers, and mountains.
About John Butts
Early Life and Training
John Butts was born in Ireland, probably around 1728. He grew up and went to school in Cork. He learned how to paint from an artist named Rogers. Rogers was a very important landscape painter in Ireland, and some people even called him the "father of landscape painting" in the country.
Butts became a teacher himself, helping young artists learn their craft. Two of his students in Cork who later became famous painters were James Barry and Nathaniel Grogan.
Moving to Dublin
Around 1757, when he was about 30 years old, John Butts moved to Dublin. There, he continued to paint landscapes and also pictures of people. He also worked as a scene-painter for theaters, creating the backgrounds for plays at the Crow Street Theatre and Smock Alley Theatre. Imagine his paintings coming to life on a stage!
His Artistic Legacy
John Butts was a very talented artist, and his paintings are considered some of the best Irish landscapes from his time. His style was sometimes compared to that of Claude Lorrain, a famous French painter known for his beautiful, dreamy landscapes.
Even though he faced many challenges in his life, Butts continued to create wonderful art. After he passed away, his former student James Barry wrote about him, saying that Butts had a special talent, much like Claude Lorrain.
Today, Butts' paintings are quite rare. The Tate Gallery in London has his painting called A Mountainous Wooded Landscape. Another of his works, View of Cork from Audley Place (painted in 1750), can be seen at the Crawford Gallery in Cork. The National Gallery of Ireland also has a sketch by him.
