John James Masquerier facts for kids
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John James Masquerier (born October 5, 1778 – died March 13, 1855) was a talented British painter. He came from a French family called Huguenots, who were Protestants. John James Masquerier was best known for painting portraits of important people, like Lady Hamilton.
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Early Life and Art Studies
John James Masquerier was born in Chelsea, London, England, in October 1778. His parents were French Protestants who had moved to England.
When he was a child, his mother took him to Paris, France. She started a school there in the famous Champs-Elysées area. John James began studying painting with a teacher named François Vincent at the Tuileries palace.
Escaping Danger in Paris
While he was in Paris, the French Revolution was happening. He was at the Tuileries palace on August 10, 1792, when the Swiss Guards (who protected the king) were attacked. Luckily, he managed to escape safely.
Masquerier even made quick drawings of many important events he saw during the Revolution. These included sad moments like the death of the Princesse de Lamballe and the trial of the king.
In 1793, it became dangerous for English people in France. Masquerier and his mother tried to leave Paris. However, his mother was arrested and put in prison. She was only freed when a powerful leader named Robespierre lost his power.
Becoming a Professional Artist
After these events, Masquerier returned to London. He joined the Royal Academy Schools on December 31, 1792, to continue his art training.
First Exhibitions and Royal Attention
When he was just 14, he painted a picture of himself. This self-portrait was shown to King George III!
In 1795, Masquerier officially started his career as an artist. The next year, 1796, he showed his work for the first time at the Royal Academy. He displayed a portrait and a religious painting called The Incredulity of St. Thomas. This religious painting became the altar-piece for a chapel in Westminster.
Painting Napoleon Bonaparte
In 1800, Masquerier went back to Paris. He claimed he drew a picture of Napoleon Bonaparte, who was then the First Consul of France. He said he got this chance thanks to Madame Tallien, whose portrait he also painted.
Masquerier returned to England with his sketches. He quickly painted a large picture called Napoleon reviewing the Consular Guards in the Court of the Tuileries. He showed this painting in London in 1801. Many people came to see it because they believed it was the first real picture of Napoleon shown in England.
However, a writer named "Peter Porcupine" (whose real name was William Cobbett) accused Masquerier of being a spy for Napoleon! Masquerier had to prove he was born in Chelsea, London, to avoid being sent out of the country.
Later Career and Retirement
In the first 28 years of his career, Masquerier painted more than 400 portraits! He also showed some other types of paintings at the Royal Academy, like The Fortune Teller (1800) and Petrarch and Laura (1803).
In 1814, he brought his mother from Paris to live with him in England. Around this time, he painted a portrait of Emma, Lady Hamilton. The next year, he visited the Battle of Waterloo battlefield and painted a picture of La Belle Alliance, a famous inn there. He also drew a portrait of Napoleon's guide, J.B. Coster.
Important People He Painted
Early in his career, Masquerier received support from important people like Mr. Alexander and John Scott-Waring. His portrait of Warren Hastings is now in a museum in Australia.
Later, he became friends with Sir Francis Burdett and his daughter Angela, who later became Baroness Burdett Coutts. He painted many other notable people, including Frances Mary Richardson Currer, Harriet Mellon, and Miss O'Neil. He also painted several pictures of himself.
Retirement and Final Years
In 1823, Masquerier stopped working as a full-time artist. He had earned a good amount of money and moved to Brighton, a town by the sea, where he lived for the rest of his life.
He visited Paris again in 1850 and traveled through Germany in 1851. He still painted sometimes. For example, in 1831, he showed a painting called A Marriage in the Church of St. Germain l'Auxerrois, Paris.
John James Masquerier passed away in Brighton on March 13, 1855. After his death, his remaining paintings and sketchbooks were sold. Many of his sketchbooks were kept by his friend, Baroness Burdett Coutts.
Even though he was very successful and well-liked, some people felt that his later art didn't quite live up to the amazing promise he showed when he was young.
Family
In 1812, John James Masquerier married Rachel. She was the widow of Dr. Robert Eden Scott, a professor from Aberdeen. Rachel passed away in 1850, and they did not have any children.
