Ozias Humphry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ozias Humphry
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portrait by Gilbert Stuart
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| Born | 8 September 1742  Honiton |
| Died | 9 March 1810 (aged 67) London |
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Ozias Humphry (born September 8, 1742 – died March 9, 1810) was a famous English painter. He was known for his small, detailed pictures called portrait miniatures. Later, he also painted larger pictures using oils and pastels.
In 1791, he became a member of the Royal Academy, a special group for artists. The next year, he was named the "Portrait Painter in Crayons to the King." This meant he was the official pastel portrait artist for the King of England.
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About Ozias Humphry's Name
Ozias Humphry himself spelled his last name "Humphry." You can see this on his signature for a painting of Charlotte, Princess Royal from 1769. This spelling was also used in the official lists of the Royal Academy art shows from 1779 to 1795.
However, some people started spelling his name "Humphrey" by mistake. This different spelling appeared in Royal Academy lists in 1796 and 1797. Even famous writers like Horace Walpole used "Humphrey." Today, "Humphry" is the more common spelling.
Ozias Humphry's Early Life and Training
Ozias Humphry was born and went to school in Honiton, a town in Devon, England. He loved art and was inspired by a gallery of art models opened by the Duke of Richmond.
He moved to London to study art at Shipley's school. He also studied art in Bath, where he took over the art business of his teacher, Samuel Collins, in 1762. Famous artists like Thomas Gainsborough and Sir Joshua Reynolds encouraged his talent.
In the early 1770s, Ozias Humphry started having problems with his eyesight. This made it hard for him to paint tiny miniatures. So, he began to paint larger works using oils and pastels instead.
Travels to Italy
In 1773, Ozias Humphry traveled to Italy with his good friend, the painter George Romney. On their way, they stopped at Knole, a large country house in Kent. There, the Duke of Dorset asked Humphry to paint several pictures for him. Humphry stayed in Italy until 1777.
When he returned to England, he painted many important people. These included the artist George Stubbs and the scientist Joseph Priestley. He also taught art to other students, including John Opie.
Humphry wrote a 50-page book about the life of his friend, the animal painter George Stubbs. This book is very important because it's the only biography of Stubbs written by someone who knew him. Humphry also knew the poet and artist William Blake. He even asked Blake to make copies of some of his illustrated books.
Journey to India
From 1785 to 1787, Ozias Humphry traveled all the way to India. While there, he created many small portraits and sketches.
After returning, he was elected a member of the Royal Academy in 1791. In 1792, he became the "Portrait Painter in Crayons to the King." Many of his portraits of the Royal Family are still part of the Royal Collection today.
Sadly, his eyesight completely failed in 1797, and he could no longer paint. He passed away in 1810 in Hampstead, a part of north London.
Many of his belongings went to his son, William Upcott, who was a famous book collector. The British Museum later bought many of Humphry's papers from Upcott.
