Thomas Roberts (painter) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Roberts
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Only known portrait of Roberts by Hugh Douglas Hamilton circa 1769
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| Born | circa 1748 |
| Died | March 1778 (aged 29–30) Lisbon, Portugal
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| Nationality | Irish |
| Known for | landscape painter |
Thomas Roberts (born around 1748, died 1778) was a talented Irish artist. He was famous for painting beautiful landscapes, often showing country houses and natural scenes. His work is still admired today for its detail and beauty.
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Early Life and Art Training
Thomas Roberts was born into a family of artists in County Waterford, Ireland. His father, John Roberts, was a well-known architect. Thomas was baptized on May 22, 1748, in Waterford.
When he was about 15 years old, in 1763, Thomas joined the Dublin Society Schools. He was very good at art and even won an award in his first year. He learned how to paint landscapes from his teacher, James Mannin.
A Career in Landscape Painting
Thomas Roberts continued his art studies with other painters. He learned from John Butts, an artist from Cork, and became an apprentice to George Mullins, another landscape painter. He lived in Temple Bar, Dublin, above a pub.
Roberts started showing his paintings at the Society of Artists in 1766, when he was only 18. He kept exhibiting his work there until 1777. Between 1766 and 1773, he showed 56 different paintings. He became very well-known for his art.
His paintings mostly showed landscapes, often with grand country houses. Some of his famous works include views of Dawson Grove and Carton House, both in Ireland. He also painted imaginary landscapes, which looked like classical Italian scenes.
Important people like William FitzGerald, 2nd Duke of Leinster and Richard Wingfield, 3rd Viscount Powerscourt bought his paintings. An art critic named Anthony Pasquin said Roberts "gained more reputation as a landscape painter than any other Irishman." Another artist, John Warren, thought Roberts was the best landscape painter in Britain or Ireland.
Later Life and Lasting Impact
Around 1773, Thomas Roberts started to have serious health problems. Because of his illness, he painted fewer pictures. He moved to Bath and Bristol in 1776, hoping to feel better.
Later in 1776 or early 1777, he traveled to Lisbon, Portugal. Sadly, he passed away there in March 1778.
After Thomas Roberts died, his younger brother, Sautelle Roberts, took on his first name, becoming Thomas Sautelle Roberts. His brother was an architect and also became a successful artist. He even finished some of Thomas's unfinished paintings.
For a while, some of Thomas Roberts's paintings were mistakenly thought to be by another artist, William Ashford. However, a special art show in 1978, held 200 years after his death, brought new attention to his amazing work. In 2009, the National Gallery of Ireland displayed 50 of his paintings, showing how important he was as an artist.
Notable Paintings
Here are some of Thomas Roberts's well-known paintings:
- Lucan House and Demense, painted around 1770. This oil painting was made for Agmondisham Vesey of Lucan House in County Dublin. It is now owned by the National Gallery of Ireland.
- Stormy Sea, painted around 1770. This oil painting is in a private collection.
- Landstorm, painted in 1780. This oil painting is owned by Richard Wood.
- A River in Spate by a Ruined Tower and Bridge, painted around 1780. This oil painting is owned by Francis D. Murnaghan, Jr.
