William Aikman (painter) facts for kids
William Aikman (born October 24, 1682 – died June 7, 1731) was a talented Scottish painter. He was known for his portraits and his friendly nature.
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William Aikman: A Scottish Painter
William Aikman was born in Scotland. His father wanted him to study law. However, William loved art more than anything. He decided to become a painter instead. He also enjoyed poetry and music.
Early Life and Artistic Journey
William Aikman became good friends with the Scottish poet Allan Ramsay. They met while at college. This friendship was very important to Aikman. Later, he also helped a young poet named James Thomson. Thomson was not well-known at the time. Aikman introduced him to important people. These included Sir Robert Walpole, a powerful politician. He also met famous writers like Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift. Thomson was very grateful for Aikman's help. He wrote a poem about Aikman after his death.
To improve his art, Aikman knew he needed to travel. He sold his family estate in Scotland. This allowed him to focus completely on his studies. In 1707, he went to Italy. He lived in Rome for three years. There, he learned from many skilled artists. After Italy, he traveled to Turkey. He visited Istanbul and Smyrna. Some British traders there wanted him to join their business. But Aikman chose to return to Rome. He continued his art studies until 1712.
Becoming a Famous Artist
When Aikman returned to Scotland, he worked as a painter. His art was admired by a few people. However, Scotland at that time did not have many wealthy art buyers. So, it was hard for him to make a good living.
John Duke of Argyll was a big fan of Aikman's work. He thought Aikman's talent was being wasted. In 1723, the Duke convinced Aikman to move to London. London was a much bigger city. It offered more chances for artists to succeed.
In London, Aikman became friends with leading artists. One important friend was Sir Godfrey Kneller. Kneller was a famous portrait painter. Aikman's style was similar to Kneller's. Soon, Aikman became well-known. Important people, including the Earl of Burlington, hired him. The Earl of Burlington was famous for his interest in art and buildings.
Aikman painted a large picture of the British royal family for the Earl of Burlington. This painting showed the younger members of the family. He also painted a portrait of Queen Caroline. He planned to paint the King too, but he passed away before starting it. This painting later belonged to the Duke of Devonshire.
Aikman's Painting Style
William Aikman's paintings aimed to look natural and simple. His use of light was soft. His shadows were smooth. His colors were gentle and blended well. He did not use strong, harsh brushstrokes like some other artists. He also did not try to add extra fancy details to his portraits.
His paintings show a calm and peaceful feeling. They are not dramatic or intense. His portraits often look similar to those by Kneller. This is partly because they lived at the same time. They also used similar painting methods and soft colors.
Many of Aikman's portraits are still around today. Some are owned by important families in Scotland. These include the Duke of Argyll and the Duke of Hamilton. Aikman also painted a self-portrait. One copy was in the gallery of the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Another was owned by his daughter, Mrs. Forbes, in Edinburgh.
William Aikman painted many portraits of important people in England. He painted many full-length pictures for the Earl of Buckinghamshire. These were some of his last works. He died on June 7, 1731.
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