John Smart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Smart
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John Smart c. 1795–1800
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| Born | 1 May 1741 |
| Died | 1 May 1811 (aged 70) London, England
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| Nationality | English |
| Known for | Painter of Portrait Miniatures |
John Smart (born May 1, 1741 – died May 1, 1811) was an English artist. He was famous for painting tiny portraits called "miniatures." He lived at the same time as other well-known miniature painters like Richard Cosway.
About John Smart's Life
John Smart was born in Norfolk, England. We don't know much about his very early years. When he was 14, in 1755, he came in second place in a drawing contest. Another famous artist, Richard Cosway, won first. This contest was held by a group called the Society for the Encouragement of Arts.
In the same year, John Smart started attending a new art school in London. It was run by William Shipley. Richard Cosway and Richard Crosse also went to this school.
Smart began showing his artwork in London in 1762. He showed his paintings at the Society of Artists. He even became the president of this society in 1778.
In 1788, he traveled to India and received many requests for his paintings there. He moved back to London in 1797 and lived on Fitzroy Street. He passed away in London in 1811. He was known for his simple lifestyle and was a member of a religious group called the Sandemanians.
John Smart's Artwork
Smart mostly painted tiny portraits using watercolors on ivory. He often signed and dated his work clearly. We still have many of his practice drawings and sketches today.
His art style was quite different from Richard Cosway's. Smart's paintings often had quiet, soft colors, with skin tones painted very carefully. He was very good at showing the human body correctly. His portraits were drawn with great accuracy and looked more distinguished than those of other miniature painters at the time.
The most important collection of Smart's work was given to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. This collection includes a signed and dated miniature for every year of Smart's career, from 1760 to 1811. This allows art experts to see how his style changed over time.
Many of his pencil drawings are still owned by the family of his only sister's good friend. Some of his miniatures are in Australia and belong to a different part of his family.
Smart also taught portrait painting to Isabella Beetham. She became one of Britain's best silhouette artists in the 1700s.
Family Life
John Smart married Edith Vere. It is believed they had only one son, who died in Madras in 1809.
Gallery of Miniatures
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Portrait of Hon. Miss Eliza Booth, dated 1766. Victoria & Albert Museum
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Portrait of Unknown Man, dated 1767. Victoria & Albert Museum
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Portrait of Unknown Woman, dated 1779. Victoria & Albert Museum
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Portrait of Unknown Woman, dated 1780. Victoria & Albert Museum
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Watercolor on ivory portrait miniature of a lady, 1782, 5.1 x 4.1 cm, Cincinnati Art Museum
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Portrait of a Member of the Tayler Family, dated 1787. Frame with bracelet fitting. Victoria & Albert Museum
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Sir Robert Brooke, probably c. 1788
