John Collett (artist) facts for kids
John Collet (1725 – August 6, 1780) was an English artist. He was known for his funny and satirical paintings. These artworks often made fun of society and people's habits.
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Who Was John Collet?
John Collet was born in London around 1725. His father held an important public job. John learned to paint from a famous artist named George Lambert. He also studied art at a special school in St Martin's Lane.
His First Art Shows
Collet first showed his paintings in 1761. He displayed three landscape pictures. In 1762, he showed a painting called A Gipsy telling some Country Girls their Fortune. After this, he mostly painted funny scenes.
Becoming a Satirical Artist
John Collet's style was like another famous artist, William Hogarth. Hogarth was known for his "comedy in art." Collet tried to copy this style and even make it better. His humorous pictures became very popular.
Many people wanted to buy his paintings. Publishers like Carington Bowles and Boydell made prints of his work. This meant even more people could see and enjoy his art. Collet kept showing his pictures until 1783.
His paintings give us a peek into what life was like in the late 1700s. In 1775, a play called The Duenna came out. Collet drew pictures based on scenes from this play. One famous drawing showed a drinking scene in a convent.
Later Life and Legacy
John Collet inherited a lot of money from a relative. He lived in Chelsea, London, in a place called Cheyne Row. He passed away there on August 6, 1780. He was buried in Chelsea on August 11.
What Was His Art Like?
Collet's art showed funny or silly parts of everyday life. He often painted scenes that made fun of people's weaknesses. While his art was popular, some felt it wasn't as deep as Hogarth's work. Sometimes, his pictures looked a lot like other artists' work.
However, when Collet was truly original, he showed great talent. His paintings were always done with great care and detail. They still offer a fun look at history.
Where to See His Art Today
You can find some of John Collet's artworks in museums. The South Kensington Museum has two of his water-colour paintings. These are called The Asylum for the Deaf and Promenaders in St. James's Park.
The British Museum has a large collection of prints made from his paintings. Many different artists created these prints. Some of the engravers who turned his paintings into prints include John Goldar and James Caldwall. They helped make his art famous.
