Richard Rothwell (painter) facts for kids
Richard Rothwell (born November 20, 1800 – died September 13, 1868) was an Irish artist from the 1800s. He was known for painting pictures of people (called portraits) and scenes from everyday life (called genre paintings).
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Life of a Painter
Richard Rothwell was born in Dublin, Ireland, on November 20, 1800. His father was William Rothwell, and his mother was Elizabeth Holmes. Richard had at least three brothers and sisters.
Early Training and Awards
When he was young, Richard learned to paint at the Dublin Society's art school. He studied there from 1814 to 1820. He was very good at art and even won a silver medal for his work.
Becoming a Member of the Royal Hibernian Academy
At 24 years old, Richard became a member of the new Royal Hibernian Academy. This was an important group for artists in Ireland. He showed his portraits there between 1826 and 1829.
Working with a Famous Artist
Later, Richard moved to London. He worked as an assistant to Thomas Lawrence, a very famous portrait painter. When Lawrence passed away in 1830, Richard helped finish many of his paintings. People thought Richard might become the next top portrait painter in Britain and Ireland.
Travels and Later Career
From 1831 to 1834, Richard traveled to Italy. He wanted to study Italian art and learn how to paint history paintings. These are large paintings that show important events.
When he came back to London, he was not as popular as before. Richard lived and showed his art in Ireland, the United States, London, and Italy. But he never became as famous as he was in the late 1820s.
Family Life and Passing
In 1842, Richard Rothwell married Rosa Marshall. They had several children together.
In 1868, Richard got a fever while working in Rome and sadly died. Another artist, Joseph Severn, helped arrange his funeral. Richard was buried in the Protestant Cemetery, Rome.
Richard Rothwell's Artworks
Richard Rothwell's portraits were very well done. Some great examples include his paintings of the writer Mary Shelley and the novelist Gerald Griffin.
Genre Paintings
In the 1830s, Richard started painting genre pictures. These paintings show scenes from everyday life. One example is The Poor Mendicants from 1837.
Examples of His Work
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Mary Shelley (1840)
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William Huskisson (1831)
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Portrait of a young man
