Joshua Kirby facts for kids

Joshua Kirby by Thomas Gainsborough c.1755

Joshua Kirby (born 1716, died 1774) was a talented English artist from the 1700s. He was a landscape painter, an engraver, a writer, and an architect. Kirby was famous for his books and lessons on linear perspective. This is a drawing technique that makes flat images look three-dimensional. He based his teachings on the math of Brook Taylor.

Joshua Kirby's Life Story

'Sarah Kirby (née Bull) and Joshua Kirby, by Thomas Gainsborough.

Joshua was one of five sons of John Kirby. His father was a topographer, meaning he mapped and described places. Young Joshua helped his father create an important book called The Suffolk Traveller (1735). This book described the towns and important places in Suffolk county.

In 1739, Joshua married Sarah Bull. They soon had two children, Sarah and William. From a young age, Joshua loved to study. He was especially good at art. He became a painter in Ipswich and took on many art jobs.

Learning About Perspective

Joshua became very interested in perspective drawing. This is the art of making 2D drawings look 3D. He started writing his own book about it. Then, he found the work of Dr. Brook Taylor, a mathematician. Taylor had already written about perspective.

Joshua became friends with the famous painter Thomas Gainsborough. Gainsborough encouraged him to paint landscapes. Joshua also worked with Sir Joseph Ayloffe, who studied old buildings. Kirby drew many ancient buildings and monuments in Suffolk. He published these drawings in 1748.

In 1751, Kirby announced his plan for a book called Brook Taylor's Perspective, made easy. He wanted to make perspective easier to understand. The famous artist William Hogarth drew the front cover for this book. The first edition came out in 1754.

Teaching and Royal Connections

The Ipswich Blackfriars domestic range, from Kirby's Twelve Prints, 1748

Satire on false perspective, showing all of the common mistakes artists make in perspective, by Hogarth, 1753

Kirby often visited London. He became an honorary member of Hogarth's art school, the St Martin's Lane Academy. There, he gave lectures on perspective. His first book was very popular. A second edition was released in 1755. Hogarth's funny drawing, Satire on False Perspective, was on the front. It showed common mistakes artists make with perspective.

In 1755, Kirby moved to London. He was introduced to the Prince of Wales, who later became King George III. Kirby taught the Prince about linear perspective. The Prince liked Kirby's work very much. He asked Kirby to create drawings of buildings.

With the Prince's help, Kirby published a two-volume book in 1761. It was called The Perspective of Architecture. This amazing book showed new ways to draw buildings in perspective. It also explained how to draw light and shadows. The King was so impressed that he made Kirby the Clerk of Works at Kew. Kirby's son, William, later joined him in this role.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1763, Joshua and his brother William worked on a new edition of their father's book, The Suffolk Traveller. This updated version came out in 1764.

Kirby became a member of the Royal Society in 1767. This is a very old and respected group for scientists. He also joined the Society of Antiquaries, which studies history. His book, Method of Perspective made Easy, was re-released in 1765 and 1768. It was a popular guide for many years.

From 1768 to 1771, Kirby was the President of the Incorporated Society of Artists. He was a humble and religious man. He was very proud of his son, William, who studied art in Italy. Sadly, William died suddenly after returning to England.

Joshua Kirby passed away in 1774 at age 58. His wife died a year later. They were both buried at St Anne's Church, Kew. His old friend, Thomas Gainsborough, later asked to be buried next to Kirby. This shows how much he valued their friendship.

Joshua Kirby's Books and Publications

• An Historical Account of the Twelve Prints of Monasteries, Castles, antient Churches and Monuments, in the County of Suffolk (1748)
• Dr. Brook Taylor's Method of Perspective Made Easy, Both in Theory and Practice (1754)
• The Description and Use of a New Instrument Called, An Architectonic Sector (1761)
• The Perspective of Architecture (1761)
• The Suffolk Traveller. By John Kirby... The Second Edition... Now Published by Joshua Kirby, and William Kirby (1764)
• A New Map of the County of Suffolk (1766)
• Dr. Brook Taylor's Method Of Perspective Made Easy; Both in Theory and Practice... The Third Edition (1768)