Robert Ladbrooke facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert Ladbrooke
1810 portrait of Ladbrooke
Born	1768 Norwich, England
Died	11 October 1842 Norwich, England
Nationality	English
Occupation	Painter
Known for	Norwich School of painters

Robert Ladbrooke (1768 – 11 October 1842) was an English landscape painter. He was famous for painting outdoor scenes. Along with his friend John Crome, he helped start an important art group called the Norwich School of painters. Robert's sons, Henry Ladbrooke and John Berney Ladbrooke, also became artists in this group.

Robert Ladbrooke's Early Life

Robert Ladbrooke was born in the city of Norwich, England, in 1768. When he was young, he started learning from an artist and printer named White. For several years, he worked as a printer.

While working there, he met another artist named John Crome. They were the same age and became good friends because they both loved art. They even lived together and spent all their free time sketching and copying other artworks. Later, Robert and John married two sisters. For two years, they worked together as partners.

Becoming an Artist

At first, Robert Ladbrooke painted people's faces (portraits), while John Crome painted landscapes. They sold their paintings for very little money. To earn more, Robert decided to focus on landscape painting, which became more successful for him.

Starting the Norwich School of Artists

In 1803, Robert Ladbrooke and John Crome created a new art group called the Norwich Society of Artists. Other artists like Robert Dixon, Charles Hodgson, Daniel Coppin, James Stark, and George Vincent also joined.

Their first art show was in 1805. This show marked the beginning of the Norwich School of painters. This was the first art movement of its kind to start outside of London! Robert Ladbrooke showed fourteen of his paintings at this first exhibition.

In 1808, John Crome became the president of the society, and Robert Ladbrooke was chosen as the vice-president. Later, in 1816, Robert and some other members left the society because they wanted to change some rules. However, their new group didn't last long and ended after three years.

Showing His Art

Between 1804 and 1815, Robert Ladbrooke sometimes showed his paintings at the Royal Academy in London. He also exhibited his work at the British Institution until 1822. Robert was a good teacher, and he was able to enjoy a long and comfortable retirement thanks to his art.

Robert Ladbrooke mostly painted scenes from Norfolk, the area where he lived in England. He also made special prints called aquatints of two of his paintings: A View of the Fellmongers on the River near Bishop's Bridge and A View of Norwich Castle. He created a huge series of over 650 lithographic prints called Views of the Churches of Norfolk, which were published in five books in 1843.

Robert Ladbrooke passed away at his home in Norwich on October 11, 1842.

Robert Ladbrooke's Family of Artists

Robert Ladbrooke had four sons, and all of them became artists in different ways. His sons Henry and John Berney Ladbrooke were the most successful.

Henry Ladbrooke

Henry, Robert's second son, was born in Norwich on April 20, 1800. He wanted to join the Church of England, but he respected his father's wish for him to become a landscape painter. Henry became well-known, especially for his paintings of moonlight scenes. He sometimes showed his art at the British Institution and the Suffolk Street Gallery. Henry died on November 18, 1870.

John Berney Ladbrooke

John Berney Ladbrooke, Robert's third son, was born in 1803. He learned to paint from John Crome, who was his uncle by marriage. John Berney followed Crome's style of painting. He was very good at painting woodland scenes. He showed his art at the Royal Academy in 1821 and 1822, and often at the British Institution and the Suffolk Street Gallery until 1873. John Berney died in Mousehold, Norwich, on July 11, 1879.

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