Thomas Hargreaves facts for kids

Thomas Hargreaves (born 1775, died 1846) was a talented English artist. He was known for painting "miniatures," which are very small, detailed portraits. Sometimes his name is also spelled Hargraves.

Early Life and Art Career

Thomas Hargreaves was born in Liverpool in 1775. His father, Henry Hargreaves, worked with wool. Thomas started painting tiny portraits when he was quite young.

When he was 18, in 1793, a famous artist named Sir Thomas Lawrence saw his work. Sir Thomas was very impressed and suggested that Thomas move to London. Thomas took his advice and went to London to learn more about art.

Learning from a Master

In London, Thomas Hargreaves became an apprentice to Sir Thomas Lawrence. This meant he worked for Lawrence and learned from him for two years, starting in March 1793. He even stayed with Lawrence for a bit longer after his apprenticeship ended.

Return to Liverpool

After some time, Thomas became unwell and had to return to his hometown of Liverpool. There, he focused completely on painting miniatures.

In 1798, he sent some of his artwork to the Royal Academy of Arts in London. These included a portrait of a comedian named Richard "Dicky" Suett and two other miniatures. He also showed his art there again in 1808 and 1809.

Joining Art Societies

Thomas Hargreaves became a member of the Liverpool Academy of Arts in 1811. He often showed his paintings at their exhibitions.

Later, in 1824, when the Society of British Artists was founded in London, Thomas became one of its first members. He also contributed his art to their shows.

Thomas Hargreaves passed away in Liverpool on December 23, 1846.

Famous Portraits

Thomas Hargreaves painted miniature portraits of many important people. Some of these included:

• Catherine Gladstone, who was the wife of a future Prime Minister.
• William Ewart Gladstone and his sister, when they were children.
• His former teacher, Sir Thomas Lawrence.
• Lord Edward FitzGerald.
• The musician James Bartleman.

Some of his miniature paintings were later made into engravings, which are prints created from a metal plate.

His Family of Artists

Thomas Hargreaves had three sons, and all of them also became miniature-painters, just like their father! One of his sons, George Hargreaves, was born in 1797. He also became a member of the Society of British Artists and passed away in 1870.