John Wootton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Wootton
|
|
|---|---|
Wootton in a 1735 painting
|
|
| Born | c.1686 Snitterfield, Warwickshire, Kingdom of England
|
| Died | 13 November 1764 |
| Nationality | English |
| Known for | Painting |
John Wootton (born around 1686 – died 13 November 1764) was a famous English painter. He was known for his amazing paintings of animals, especially horses. He also painted exciting battle scenes and beautiful landscapes.
Contents
About John Wootton
John Wootton was born in Snitterfield, a village in Warwickshire, England. This area is close to Stratford-upon-Avon. He is best remembered today for being one of the first artists to focus on painting sporting subjects. He was considered the best at this type of art during his time.
His Famous Paintings
Wootton's paintings were very popular. Important people in British society wanted his artwork. These included powerful figures like George II of Great Britain, who was the King, and Frederick, Prince of Wales. Even the famous military leader, the Duke of Marlborough, owned his paintings.
Artistic Training and Style
It is thought that John Wootton learned to paint from an artist named Jan Wyck before the year 1700. Wootton might have started his career working for the family of the Dukes of Beaufort. His oldest painting that we still have is a portrait of a horse called Bonny Black, painted in 1711.
He continued to paint until he died in 1764. He lived in Newmarket, which is a very important place for horse racing in England. He painted many portraits of horses. He also created "conversation pieces," which are paintings showing groups of people in a hunting or riding setting.
Landscapes and Influence
John Wootton also developed a special style for painting landscapes. This style was based on the work of an artist named Gaspard Dughet. Wootton used this style in his pure landscape paintings. He also used it when painting country houses and scenes with horses.
His landscape style was different from what other artists were doing in Britain at the time. It greatly influenced other British artists, such as Gainsborough.
Wootton's Legacy
Today, another artist named George Stubbs (1724–1806) is often seen as even better at painting animals. However, John Wootton was a very important artist in his own right. He helped create a new type of art.
John Wootton died in London on 13 November 1764. You can see examples of his animal paintings in several places. These include the Tate Gallery in London, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, and the Yale Center for British Art. His work can also be found in the Great Hall at Longleat and in The Portland Collection at the Harley Gallery and Foundation.
