Thomas Clater facts for kids
Thomas Clater (1789–1867) was a talented English painter. He was known for his charming pictures of everyday life and people.
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Who Was Thomas Clater?
Thomas Clater was born in 1789 in a town called East Retford in Nottinghamshire, England. He was the third son of Francis Clater, who was a blacksmith who cared for horses' hooves. Thomas was baptized on June 9, 1789.
His First Art Shows
Thomas Clater started showing his paintings in London in 1819. He sent two pictures to the British Institution. These were called 'Children at a Spring' and 'Puff and Dart, or the Last Shilling—a Provincial Game'. He also sent a painting called 'The Game at Put, or the Cheat detected' to the Royal Academy.
In 1820, he showed a portrait of his brother, John Clater, at the Royal Academy. Later, in 1823, he showed portraits of Mr. C. Warren and his father, Francis Clater. His father's portrait was so good that it was later made into an engraving by another artist named Thomas Goff Lupton.
What Kind of Art Did He Make?
Clater continued to show many paintings every year until 1863. He sent his art to important places like the Royal Academy, the British Institution, and the Suffolk Street Gallery. In 1843, he became a member of the Society of British Artists.
His paintings often showed funny or sweet scenes from home and country life. He painted in a style similar to old Dutch genre painters. These artists were famous for showing everyday activities.
Famous Paintings by Clater
One of his paintings, 'A Chief of Gipsies dividing Spoil with his Tribe', can be seen at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. Other popular paintings included 'The Fortune-Teller Dressing for a Masquerade' and 'Christmas in the Country'. He also painted 'The Music Lesson' and 'Sunday Morning'.
Later Life and Challenges
Thomas Clater painted a lot of pictures throughout his life. Sometimes, it was hard for him to sell all of them. This caused him to have some money problems later on. The Royal Academy even helped him out financially.
He lived in Chelsea for the last part of his life. Thomas Clater passed away on February 24, 1867. He had a family, and some of his children also became painters.
