Jonathan Fisher (painter) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jonathan Fisher
Southampton and Northam from the River Itchen, graphite drawing, undated
Born	Jonathan Fisher 1740 Dublin, Ireland
Died	1809 Bishop Street, Dublin, Ireland
Known for	Painting

Jonathan Fisher (born around 1740, died 1809) was a talented Irish artist. He was known for his beautiful paintings and detailed engravings. Engravings are like special prints made from a metal plate. He created many famous pictures of Ireland's stunning landscapes.

Jonathan Fisher's Life

Fisher was born in Dublin, Ireland, around 1740. Some people thought he trained in London, but it's more likely he taught himself. He became a skilled artist on his own.

He married a woman known as "Miss Price." She was described as clever and good-looking. Fisher lived in different parts of Dublin during his life. He lived on Dame Street in 1756. Later, he moved to Great Ship Street around 1778. In 1805, he moved to Bishop Street, Dublin. Fisher passed away at his home on Bishop Street in 1809. He left his art supplies to Henry Graham. Henry was his student and assistant.

His Artistic Career

Strangford Lough (circa 1790) by Fisher

Fisher first gained recognition in 1763. He won an award from the Royal Dublin Society for a landscape painting. At that time, he was working as a linen draper. A linen draper sells linen fabric. He won another award in 1768 for the best oil painting of a landscape.

Fisher often showed his art at exhibitions. He displayed his work with the Society of Artists from 1765 until 1801.

Famous Irish Views

Fisher is most famous for his detailed engravings and aquatints. Aquatints are a type of printmaking that looks like watercolor. He traveled all over Ireland to capture its beauty.

In 1770 and 1789, he published pictures of Killarney. The National Gallery of Ireland now owns two of his oil paintings from the 1770 series. The National Library of Ireland has two of his sketchbooks. These sketchbooks were used for his views of Carlingford Lough. He published these views in London in 1772. The Ulster Museum also has one of his paintings from this series. In 1772, he published views of other Irish cities. These included Kilkenny, Cork, Waterford, and Belfast.

Important Publications

In 1789, Fisher created 20 engravings. They were published as A picturesque tour of Killarney. He dedicated this book to the first Earl of Portarlington. The Earl was a close friend and supporter of Fisher. He helped Fisher get a job in 1778. Fisher became a supervisor at the stamp office in Dublin.

From 1792, Fisher worked on a big project. He created 60 views of Ireland. These were published in 1795 as Scenery of Ireland illustrated. Fisher said this was the first book of its kind in Ireland.

Recognition and Legacy

In 1781, a famous architect named James Gandon praised Fisher. He called Fisher one of the most important painters in Ireland. The Dublin Society also asked Fisher to help them. In 1783, he joined a group to check new watercolor paints. The Society bought some of Fisher's works. They used his Views of Killarney and Scenery of Ireland in their art schools.

After Fisher's death, his collection of 65 artworks was sold in Dublin. It included works by famous artists like Angelica Kauffman and Thomas Gainsborough. Henry Graham, his former pupil, managed the sale.