Joseph Goupy facts for kids
Joseph Goupy (about 1689–1769) was a talented English artist. He worked as an engraver, a painter, a set designer for plays, and a watercolour artist. His family was from France, but he lived and worked in London for most of his life, starting around 1711.
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Joseph Goupy's Art Career
Joseph Goupy was born in London. He started his art training with his uncle, the famous painter Louis Goupy. Joseph and his uncle were among the first people to join the Great Queen Street academy, which was started by Godfrey Kneller.
Joseph became known for making copies of old master paintings. He was especially good at copying the works of Salvator Rosa. You can see Rosa's influence in Joseph's own art.
Working for Royalty
Joseph Goupy painted copies of the Raphael Cartoons for Baron von Kielmansegg. The Baron was married to Sophia von Kielmansegg, who was the half-sister of King George I. Because of these connections, Joseph started painting small decorative boxes called snuff boxes for the king.
He also worked for 20 years for John Hedges, who was in charge of money for Frederick, Prince of Wales. Joseph painted another set of Raphael Cartoons for the Prince.
After John Hedges passed away, Joseph faced a legal problem about money. But many people, including famous artists like John Wootton and Michael Dahl, spoke up for Joseph. In 1738, Michael Dahl said that Joseph Goupy was "esteemed the best hand in England at his trade." This means he was considered the best artist in England at what he did.
Joseph Goupy was also known as one of the best fan painters. His uncle Charles and cousin William were also famous for this.
Theatre and Restoration Work
From 1724, Joseph Goupy sometimes designed scenery for the theatre. He was friends with many artists, including the sculptor Joseph Nollekens.
In 1726, he was paid to fix parts of Mantegna's famous paintings called Triumphs of Caesar in the Royal Collection. From 1736, he worked as a painter for the Prince of Wales. He regularly provided new paintings and fixed old ones for Leicester House until the Prince died in 1751.
Art Clubs and Copyright
Besides joining the Great Queen Street Academy, Joseph Goupy also joined other art groups. These included the Virtuosi of St. Luke and the later Rose and Crown Club. Here, he met other artists, musicians, and collectors, like William Hogarth. Together, they successfully worked to get copyright protection for print designers in 1735. This meant artists could protect their printed works from being copied without permission.
Joseph Goupy is even in a group painting by Gawen Hamilton called 'a club of artists'. Joseph actually won this painting in a raffle in 1735.
Later Years
Before Prince Frederick died in 1751, Joseph Goupy created designs for buildings at Kew Gardens, which were later built.
After the Prince's death, Joseph seemed to paint less. There are not many paintings known from after 1751. In 1755, he sold his copperplates (used for engraving). In 1765, he sold his collection of paintings. He also showed two watercolours at the Society of Artists of Great Britain in 1765 and became a member.
Teaching Art
Joseph Goupy was also a teacher to many important people. His students included Dorothy Boyle, Countess of Burlington, Matthew Robinson, 2nd Baron Rokeby, and Augusta, Princess of Wales. The famous architect Athenian Stuart was also one of his students.
It is thought that Joseph's connections in the art world helped the naturalist Mark Catesby get the skills and contacts he needed for his famous book, 'Natural History'. Joseph also taught his landlady, Mrs. Dorothy Chambéry, for 17 years.
In 1733, he was also chosen to be the drawing teacher for Prince Frederick himself.
Friendship with Handel
Joseph Goupy was part of the art scene in London during the 1700s. From 1724, he designed sets for the Haymarket Theatre with Peter Tillemans. Three years later, he designed the scenery for Handel's opera, Riccardo I.
Their careers were quite close for some time. But after their supporter King George I died, their paths changed. Handel worked for King George II, while Goupy became closer to the King's son, Prince Frederick.
Later, after Handel had some disagreements with other members of the Royal Academy of Music, Joseph Goupy tried to help fix things, but it didn't work.
A Caricature of Handel
Joseph and Handel were on good terms for a while. In 1742, Joseph painted a portrait of Handel for the Prince of Wales. However, in 1743, Joseph was asked to give a message to Handel from the Prince's friends, but Handel seemed to refuse.
After this, Joseph Goupy painted a funny and insulting picture of Handel. It showed Handel as a pig surrounded by things that suggest he ate too much. This painting is now in the Fitzwilliam Museum. Joseph's support for other opera artists who were rivals of Handel might have also caused problems between them.
Even after their disagreement, Handel still owned many of Joseph Goupy's paintings and prints when he died.
Death
Joseph Goupy passed away in 1769. He had been caring for an old friend, Sarah Wright, who was very ill. Joseph left his money in a trust for Sarah's sister, Elizabeth Williams. He also left some other items, like four flutes and his painting supplies, to different people. After his death, his art collection was sold for a total of £296 3s 6d.
