Michael Kean facts for kids
Michael Kean (who passed away in 1823) was a talented artist from Ireland. He was known for painting tiny, detailed portraits called miniatures. For some time, he also owned a famous factory in Derby that made beautiful porcelain, which is now known as Royal Crown Derby.
Early Life and Art
Michael Kean was born in Dublin, the capital city of Ireland. When he was young, in 1771, he started attending drawing schools run by the Dublin Society. There, he learned how to draw many different things, including decorations, landscapes (pictures of nature), and people.
He was very good at drawing. In 1779, he even won a special silver medal from the Dublin Society for his drawings of sculptures.
At first, Michael wanted to become a sculptor, someone who creates art by carving or shaping materials. He even trained with a sculptor named Edward Smyth. However, he soon became well-known for painting miniature portraits. These were small, detailed paintings of people's faces.
He moved to London, England, where his miniature painting career became very successful. He showed his artwork at important exhibitions, including the Royal Academy every year from 1786 to 1790. He also displayed his work at shows held by the Free Society of Artists.
Running the Derby Porcelain Factory
In 1795, Michael Kean joined forces with William Duesbury II. Duesbury owned a famous factory in Derby that made fine porcelain. This factory later became known as Royal Crown Derby, which is still famous today for its beautiful china.
When William Duesbury II passed away in 1796, Michael Kean took over as the manager of the factory. Two years later, in 1798, he married Duesbury's widow, Elizabeth. They had one son together.
During the time Michael Kean managed the factory, he made many improvements. The way the porcelain was made got better, and the artistic decorations on the pieces became even more beautiful. Because of his efforts, the factory's reputation grew, meaning it became even more respected and well-known for its high-quality products.
Later Years
Michael Kean was known for being a strong-willed person. He had some disagreements with his wife and her children from her first marriage about how the factory business should be run.
In 1811, Michael Kean decided to sell the factory. His clerk, a man named Robert Bloor, took over the business. After selling the factory, Michael Kean retired and moved back to London. He passed away there in November 1823.
