Marmaduke Cradock facts for kids
Marmaduke Cradock (born 1660 – died 1716) was an English artist. He was famous for painting birds and animals. Some old books call him Luke Cradock.
A Painter's Life
Marmaduke Cradock was an English painter. He was well-known for his pictures of birds, dead animals from hunting, and other creatures. He was born in Somerton, a town in Somerset, England. Later, he moved to London. There, he started learning to be a house-painter.
Even though he trained as a house-painter, Marmaduke taught himself to be a fine artist. He became very skilled at painting birds and animals. A famous writer named Horace Walpole once said that Cradock's paintings showed great "freedom and fire." This means his art felt lively and powerful.
Walpole also mentioned that Cradock did not like working for rich, powerful people. He preferred to work for art dealers. These dealers would then sell his paintings. Cradock felt that working for very wealthy people might limit his artistic freedom. He wanted to paint what he felt, not what someone else told him to paint.
What He Painted
Marmaduke Cradock's paintings of birds and still life (pictures of objects) were inspired by other artists. These included Melchior d'Hondecoeter, Peter Frans Casteels, and Jakob Bogdani.
Cradock often drew birds from real life first. You can see some of his sketches at the British Museum. He usually painted common birds found in England, like ducks or peacocks. He did not always choose the rare, exotic birds that some other artists liked.
Sometimes, Cradock added exciting moments to his bird paintings. For example, he might show a hawk attacking other birds. This added a sense of drama to his artwork. Another artist named Francis Barlow also used this style.
People who bought Cradock's paintings often used them to decorate their homes. They would place the paintings inside wall panels. You might find them above doors or fireplaces.
One of his well-known paintings is called Peacock and Other Birds in a Landscape. You can see it at the Tate Gallery in London. This is one of only three paintings that he signed.
His Later Years
Marmaduke Cradock passed away in London in 1716. He was buried at St Mary, Whitechapel. After he died, his paintings became much more valuable. Some of his artworks sold for three or four times the price he received for them when he was alive.
