Lemuel Francis Abbott facts for kids
Lemuel "Francis" Abbott (born 1760 or 1761 – died 1803) was a talented English portrait painter. He is best known for his famous painting of Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, a very important naval officer. This painting is now displayed at 10 Downing Street in London. Abbott also painted many other naval officers and important writers from the 1700s.
About Lemuel Abbott's Life
Lemuel Abbott was born in Leicestershire, England, in either 1760 or 1761. His father, also named Lemuel Abbott, was a clergyman. When Lemuel was about 14 years old, in 1775, he moved to London to study art. He became a student of a famous artist named Francis Hayman.
Sadly, his teacher died in 1776, so Lemuel returned home. He continued to practice his art skills on his own. Some people think he might have also studied with another artist, Joseph Wright of Derby.
In 1780, Lemuel Abbott got married to Anna Maria. They settled in London, living in a place called Caroline Street in Bloomsbury. He showed his paintings at the Royal Academy, which is a very important art institution. However, he never became a full member of the Academy.
It is believed that Lemuel Abbott worked extremely hard, taking on many painting jobs. This hard work, along with some personal difficulties, caused him to become very unwell in 1798. He was treated by a doctor named Thomas Munro. Dr. Munro was a specialist in mental health and also treated King George III. Lemuel Abbott passed away in London on December 5, 1803.
Famous Paintings by Abbott
Abbott painted many important people of his time. His 1797 portrait of Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson is his most famous work. Abbott and Nelson were actually living in the same building in London when the painting was started. Both Nelson and his wife loved the finished portrait. Lady Nelson wrote that it was a "great likeliness" and she was "well pleased with Abbott."
Besides Nelson, Abbott painted other notable figures. These included important naval officers like Admiral Sir Robert Calder and Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Pasley. He also painted Captain William Locker. Other subjects included the famous astronomer Sir William Herschel and the poet William Cowper. He also painted artists Francesco Bartolozzi and Joseph Nollekens, and businessmen like Matthew Boulton and John Wilkinson.
One of his interesting paintings shows Henry Callender, who was the Captain General of the Royal Blackheath Golf Club. This painting is one of the earliest pictures showing the game of golf. Copies of this painting can be found in golf clubs all over the world. It was sold at an auction in London in 2015.
Some of Abbott's paintings are signed "Francis Lemuel Abbott." It's not known why he added "Francis" to his name, as it wasn't part of his birth name.
