Samuel Woodforde facts for kids
Samuel Woodforde (1763 – 1817) was a talented British painter. He became a full member of the Royal Academy of Arts, which is a very important art institution in London. Woodforde was known for his portraits, historical paintings, and scenes inspired by books.
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Early Life and Training
Samuel Woodforde was born in a place called Castle Cary in Somerset, England, on March 29, 1763. His father, Heighes Woodforde, was an accountant. Samuel came from a family with some artistic talent; he was related to another painter named Samuel Woodford. He was also the nephew of a famous diarist, James Woodforde.
A kind banker named Henry Hoare and his family helped Samuel with his art education. This support allowed him to attend the Royal Academy Schools starting in 1782. This was a big step for a young artist! He began showing his paintings to the public in 1784. Over his career, he displayed many artworks at the Royal Academy and the British Institution.
Travels and Artistic Growth
Thanks to more support from Richard Hoare, Samuel Woodforde received money each year. This allowed him to travel to Italy in 1786. Italy was a very important place for artists to study during that time. He spent most of his time in Rome, where he studied the works of famous artists like Raphael, Michelangelo, and Paolo Veronese. He also visited other beautiful Italian cities such as Venice and Florence.
After five years, Samuel returned to London in 1791. From 1792 to 1815, he was very busy painting and showing his art. He painted many different types of pictures, including:
- Portraits of people
- Scenes from everyday Italian life
- Historical events
- Pictures inspired by famous books and stories
Many of his paintings based on books were made into engravings. This meant that copies of his art could be printed and shared with more people. For example, some of his work was used in a special edition of William Shakespeare's plays.
Royal Academy Membership
Samuel Woodforde's hard work and talent were recognized by the art world. In 1800, he became an associate member of the Royal Academy. This was a step towards becoming a full member. Seven years later, in 1807, he achieved his goal and became a full member of the Royal Academy. This was a great honor for an artist.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1815, Samuel Woodforde married Jane Gardner. That same year, the couple moved to Italy. Sadly, Samuel Woodforde passed away two years later, on July 27, 1817, from a fever in Bologna, Italy. He was buried there in the cemetery of La Certosa. Samuel Woodforde left behind a collection of paintings that show his skill in capturing different subjects, from people to historical moments and literary scenes.
