Thomas Hudson (painter) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Hudson
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Thomas Hudson
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| Born | 1701 |
| Died | 1779 (aged 77/78) |
| Occupation | English portrait painter |
Thomas Hudson (1701 – 1779) was a famous English artist who mostly painted portraits of people. He was one of the most successful portrait painters in London during his time.
Who Was Thomas Hudson?
Thomas Hudson was born in Devon, England, in 1701. We don't know the exact place where he was born. He moved to London to study painting. His teacher was another well-known painter named Jonathan Richardson. Hudson later married Richardson's daughter.
His Painting Career
Hudson was very busy painting between 1740 and 1760. From 1745 to 1755, he was the most popular portrait painter in London. He had many helpers in his studio. One of his assistants was Joseph Van Aken, who was a specialist in painting clothes and fabrics (called "drapery") in portraits.
Some of Hudson's students became famous artists themselves. These included Joshua Reynolds, Joseph Wright, and another drapery painter named Peter Toms.
Travels and Retirement
In 1748, Hudson traveled to the Low Countries (which include modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands). He also visited Italy in 1752. These trips helped him see different art styles.
In 1753, he bought a house in Twickenham, a town near London. He started to paint less towards the end of the 1750s, choosing to retire. Thomas Hudson passed away in Twickenham in 1779. He was about 77 or 78 years old. He had a large collection of art himself, which was sold after his death.
Where to See His Art
Many of Thomas Hudson's paintings are in art galleries across the United Kingdom. You can find his work in places like the National Portrait Gallery, the National Maritime Museum, Tate, the Foundling Museum, and the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery.
