John Rising facts for kids
John Rising (1756–1815) was an English artist known for painting portraits of people and scenes from everyday life. He lived and worked in London during a time when art was becoming very popular.
Contents
John Rising's Life and Art
John Rising was a busy painter in London. He regularly showed his artwork at the Royal Academy, a famous art institution. He exhibited there from 1785 until he passed away.
Famous People He Painted
Rising painted many important people of his time. These included William Wilberforce, who worked to end slavery, and Lord Nelson, a famous naval hero. He also painted Lord Melville, a key political figure, and Sir William Blackstone, a well-known judge. Other subjects were Arthur Young, who wrote about farming, and Robert Bloomfield, a poet.
Where His Portraits Are Today
Many of John Rising's portraits were made into prints, which meant copies could be shared widely. For example, his painting of William Blackstone can be found at the Bodleian Library. The portrait of William Wilberforce is now owned by the Earl of Crawford.
Other Types of Paintings
Besides portraits, Rising also created paintings of everyday scenes and imaginative subjects. Some of these include Juvenile Employment (showing young people working), Ballad Singers (people singing songs), The Sentimental Shepherd, and The Infant Narcissus. These paintings often showed charming or thoughtful moments.
Some of his works were turned into mezzotints. This is a special way of making prints that creates soft, rich tones. Artists like William Ward and John Jones helped make these prints from Rising's original paintings.
Working with a Master
It is believed that John Rising sometimes helped Sir Joshua Reynolds, another very famous painter. Rising might have painted the backgrounds in some of Reynolds's pictures. This would have been a great learning experience for him.
His Later Years
John Rising continued to paint and exhibit until his death in 1815. He was 59 years old when he passed away. His work provides a glimpse into the people and daily life of England in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
