John Berney Crome
Encyclopedia
John Berney Crome was an English landscape and marine painter associated with the Norwich School of artists. He is sometimes known as "John Bernay Crome" or by the nickname "Young Crome" to distinguish him from his father, "Old Crome".
in Norfolk
, the eldest son (of 2) of 8 children of John Crome
, a distinguished landscape artist and founder of the Norwich Society of Artists. He attended Norwich Grammar School
until he was 18 years of age (where a friend and fellow pupil was George Vincent). At the same time, with ambitions of becoming an artist, he accompanied his father on sketching expeditions.
Later, John assisted his father in teaching, and was appointed landscape painter to the Duke of Sussex. He became a member of the "Norwich Society of Artists" and between 1806 and 1830 had many of his pictures exhibited there. He was appointed Vice-President of the society in 1818 and subsequently President on several occasions.
On the death of "Old Crome", in April 1821, John continued his father's art teaching practice and occupied the family house in Gildengate Street, Norwich, to which he added a studio. In conjunction with John Sell Cotman
, he took a lively interest in the re-opening of the Norwich Society of Artists in 1828 (which had closed in 1825 after demolition of the old premises). Between 1811-43, he had many works exhibited at the Royal Academy
, British Institution
and Society of British Artists in London. He also made many trips to the continent, drawing and painting in France, Holland, Belgium and Italy.
Owing to his extravagant habits, John Berney went bankrupt in 1831, when the contents of his father's house were sold, and many of "Old" Crome's paintings and his own works were disposed of. He moved to Great Yarmouth
in 1835 where he continued to teach drawing until his death in September 1842.
Crome was twice married, leaving a widow but no children.
, watercolours and pencil, painting coastal and rural scenes, both at home and abroad. His work shows the influence of his father, and he painted many moonlight effects, as in "River Scene by Moonlight" (1834). Many of his works can be found at the Castle Museum & Art Gallery in Norwich.
Life
John Berney was born in NorwichNorwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
in Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
, the eldest son (of 2) of 8 children of John Crome
John Crome
John Crome was an English landscape artist of the Romantic era, one of the principal artists of the "Norwich school". He is known as Old Crome to distinguish him from his son, John Berney Crome, who was also a well-known artist.-Life and work:Crome was born in Norwich in Norfolk, the son of a weaver...
, a distinguished landscape artist and founder of the Norwich Society of Artists. He attended Norwich Grammar School
Norwich School (educational institution)
Norwich School is an independent school located in Norwich, United Kingdom. It is one of the oldest schools in the world, with a traceable history to 1096, and is a member of The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.It is a fee-paying, co-educational day school and has one of the best...
until he was 18 years of age (where a friend and fellow pupil was George Vincent). At the same time, with ambitions of becoming an artist, he accompanied his father on sketching expeditions.
Later, John assisted his father in teaching, and was appointed landscape painter to the Duke of Sussex. He became a member of the "Norwich Society of Artists" and between 1806 and 1830 had many of his pictures exhibited there. He was appointed Vice-President of the society in 1818 and subsequently President on several occasions.
On the death of "Old Crome", in April 1821, John continued his father's art teaching practice and occupied the family house in Gildengate Street, Norwich, to which he added a studio. In conjunction with John Sell Cotman
John Sell Cotman
John Sell Cotman was an English marine and landscape painter, etcher, illustrator and author, one of the leading lights of the Norwich school of artists.-Early life and work:...
, he took a lively interest in the re-opening of the Norwich Society of Artists in 1828 (which had closed in 1825 after demolition of the old premises). Between 1811-43, he had many works exhibited at the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
, British Institution
British Institution
The British Institution was a private 19th-century society in London formed to exhibit the works of living and dead artists; it was also known as the Pall Mall Picture Galleries or the British Gallery...
and Society of British Artists in London. He also made many trips to the continent, drawing and painting in France, Holland, Belgium and Italy.
Owing to his extravagant habits, John Berney went bankrupt in 1831, when the contents of his father's house were sold, and many of "Old" Crome's paintings and his own works were disposed of. He moved to Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth, often known to locals as Yarmouth, is a coastal town in Norfolk, England. It is at the mouth of the River Yare, east of Norwich.It has been a seaside resort since 1760, and is the gateway from the Norfolk Broads to the sea...
in 1835 where he continued to teach drawing until his death in September 1842.
Crome was twice married, leaving a widow but no children.
Work
John Berney worked in oilsOil painting
Oil painting is the process of painting with pigments that are bound with a medium of drying oil—especially in early modern Europe, linseed oil. Often an oil such as linseed was boiled with a resin such as pine resin or even frankincense; these were called 'varnishes' and were prized for their body...
, watercolours and pencil, painting coastal and rural scenes, both at home and abroad. His work shows the influence of his father, and he painted many moonlight effects, as in "River Scene by Moonlight" (1834). Many of his works can be found at the Castle Museum & Art Gallery in Norwich.
External links
- J. B. Crome Gallery (Castle Museum & Art Gallery, Norwich)
- Moonlight (Tate GalleryTate GalleryThe Tate is an institution that houses the United Kingdom's national collection of British Art, and International Modern and Contemporary Art...
) - The Thames at Northfleet (Christie's)