John Watson (American painter) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Watson
self-portrait, 1720
Born	28 July 1685  Dumfries and Galloway
Died	22 August 1768  (aged 83) Perth Amboy
Occupation	Painter

John Watson (born 1685, died 1768) was an important early American painter. He was born in Scotland and later moved to America.

John Watson's Early Life

John Watson was born in Scotland in 1685, near a town called Dumfries. At first, he painted the inside of houses. Later, he started painting portraits of people.

His Work in America

In 1715, John Watson moved to Perth Amboy, which was then a part of the Province of New Jersey. He bought land there and built two houses. One house was for him to live in, and the other was to keep his collection of paintings.

Some historians believe this was the very first art collection in America.

Art Collection During the Revolution

Years later, in 1776, the American Revolutionary War began. Perth Amboy was under attack by American forces. Watson's nephew, Alexander Watson, inherited his uncle's estate. When soldiers raided the town, they took many of Watson's paintings. These paintings often showed English kings and heroes. Sadly, many of them were probably lost or destroyed.

However, many of John Watson's portraits still exist today! You can find his paintings in different museums:

• The Historical Society of Pennsylvania has portraits of Governor William Keith and his wife.
• The Brooklyn Museum has his portrait of Governor Lewis Morris.
• The New Jersey Historical Society has two portraits: one of William Eier, the first mayor of Perth Amboy, and another of Governor William Burnet.

John Watson passed away in 1768. He is buried in St. Peter's Episcopal Cemetery in Perth Amboy.

Gallery of Notable Works

• 

  New Jersey Governor Lewis Morris

• 

  Pennsylvania Governor William Keith

• 

  New Jersey and New York Governor William Burnet

Selected Artworks by John Watson

Here are some of the artworks painted by John Watson:

Year	Title	Image	Collection
1718	Portrait of Hermanus Wendell
1726	Portrait of Governor Lewis Morris (about 1726), oil on linen		Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, New York
1726	Portrait of Governor William Burnet (about 1726), oil on canvas		Massachusetts State House, Boston, Massachusetts
	Self-portrait, painting
	Portrait of David Lyell (about 1715-1725), miniature painting
	Vase of Flowers with Grapes and Cherries, oil
	Venus and Cupid, ink on vellum