Thomas Baxter (painter)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Baxter Jnr. was an English porcelain
painter, and a watercolour painter and illustrator.
, the son of a china
painter and gilder
, who had workshops in London
connected with the Worcester china works. Baxter received his first instruction in art from his father. He was a fellow student of Benjamin Haydon
at the Royal Academy
, as appears from a letter written by Baxter to Haydon in 1819. He was patronised by Lord Nelson, and was often employed by him in making sketches at his estate in Merton; He also painted for him a rich dessert service.
In his paintings upon china he introduced figures from the works of Reynolds
, West
and other well-known painters. In 1814 he left Worcester and established an art school in London, and had pupils who were afterwards distinguished in their special line. In 1816 he worked for the Cambrian Pottery
at Swansea, and was there three years. His great work at that place was a "Shakespeare Cup" (from its description, remarkable more for ingenuity than for good taste). In 1819, he returned to Worcester, and was again employed at the Royal Porcelain Works (owned by Flight and Barr), and afterwards at Robert Chamberlain's factory. He was described as "the most accomplished artist who painted Worcester porcelain in the first half of the eighteenth century".
He also made drawing's for John Britton
's book on Salisbury Cathedral
, wrote and illustrated a book on ancient costume, and made two "very clever" copies of the 'Portland vase
.'
Baxter died in London, 18 April 1821.
Porcelain
Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating raw materials, generally including clay in the form of kaolin, in a kiln to temperatures between and...
painter, and a watercolour painter and illustrator.
Life and work
Baxter (of whom an account is given in 'A Century of Potting in the City of Worcester' by R. W. Binns, 1877) was born in WorcesterWorcester
The City of Worcester, commonly known as Worcester, , is a city and county town of Worcestershire in the West Midlands of England. Worcester is situated some southwest of Birmingham and north of Gloucester, and has an approximate population of 94,000 people. The River Severn runs through the...
, the son of a china
Porcelain
Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating raw materials, generally including clay in the form of kaolin, in a kiln to temperatures between and...
painter and gilder
Gilding
The term gilding covers a number of decorative techniques for applying fine gold leaf or powder to solid surfaces such as wood, stone, or metal to give a thin coating of gold. A gilded object is described as "gilt"...
, who had workshops in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
connected with the Worcester china works. Baxter received his first instruction in art from his father. He was a fellow student of Benjamin Haydon
Benjamin Haydon
Benjamin Robert Haydon was an English historical painter and writer.-Biography:Haydon was born in Plymouth. His mother was the daughter of the Rev. Benjamin Cobley, rector of Dodbrooke, near Kingsbridge, Devon. Her brother, General Sir Thomas Cobley, was renowned for his part in the siege of Ismail...
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...
, as appears from a letter written by Baxter to Haydon in 1819. He was patronised by Lord Nelson, and was often employed by him in making sketches at his estate in Merton; He also painted for him a rich dessert service.
In his paintings upon china he introduced figures from the works of Reynolds
Joshua Reynolds
Sir Joshua Reynolds RA FRS FRSA was an influential 18th-century English painter, specialising in portraits and promoting the "Grand Style" in painting which depended on idealization of the imperfect. He was one of the founders and first President of the Royal Academy...
, West
Benjamin West
Benjamin West, RA was an Anglo-American painter of historical scenes around and after the time of the American War of Independence...
and other well-known painters. In 1814 he left Worcester and established an art school in London, and had pupils who were afterwards distinguished in their special line. In 1816 he worked for the Cambrian Pottery
Cambrian Pottery
The Cambrian Pottery was founded in 1764 by William Coles in Swansea, Glamorganshire, Wales.In 1790, John Coles, son of the founder, went into partnership with George Haynes, who introduced new business strategies based on the ideas of Josiah Wedgwood....
at Swansea, and was there three years. His great work at that place was a "Shakespeare Cup" (from its description, remarkable more for ingenuity than for good taste). In 1819, he returned to Worcester, and was again employed at the Royal Porcelain Works (owned by Flight and Barr), and afterwards at Robert Chamberlain's factory. He was described as "the most accomplished artist who painted Worcester porcelain in the first half of the eighteenth century".
He also made drawing's for John Britton
John Britton (antiquary)
-Early life:Britton was born on 7 July 1771 at Kington St. Michael, near Chippenham. His parents were in humble circumstances, and he was left an orphan at an early age. At sixteen he went to London and was apprenticed to a wine merchant. Prevented by ill-health from serving his full term, he found...
's book on Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an Anglican cathedral in Salisbury, England, considered one of the leading examples of Early English architecture....
, wrote and illustrated a book on ancient costume, and made two "very clever" copies of the 'Portland vase
Portland Vase
The Portland Vase is a Roman cameo glass vase, currently dated to between AD 5 and AD 25, which served as an inspiration to many glass and porcelain makers from about the beginning of the 18th century onwards. Since 1810 the vase has been kept almost continuously in the British Museum in London...
.'
Baxter died in London, 18 April 1821.
Further reading
- James Elmes (Ed). The Magazine of the fine arts, Volume 1 p218-20 (London, 1821)
- John O. Wilstead, Bernard Morris. Thomas Baxter: the Swansea years, 1816-1819 (Gomer, 1997)
External links
- Thomas Baxter on Artnet
- Porcelain pieces decorated by Thomas Baxter jnr. (Los Angeles County Museum of ArtLos Angeles County Museum of ArtThe Los Angeles County Museum of Art is an art museum in Los Angeles, California. It is located on Wilshire Boulevard along Museum Row in the Miracle Mile vicinity of Los Angeles, adjacent to the George C. Page Museum and La Brea Tar Pits....
) - Jubal cup (Glynn Vivian Art Gallery)
- Porcelain plate (E6089) (National Maritime MuseumNational Maritime MuseumThe National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England is the leading maritime museum of the United Kingdom and may be the largest museum of its kind in the world. The historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, it also incorporates the Royal Observatory, Greenwich,...
) - Baxter portrait mug (Worcester porcelain museum)
- A pair of English porcelain, cobalt-blue, ground spill vases (c. 1815 - Christie'sChristie'sChristie's is an art business and a fine arts auction house.- History :The official company literature states that founder James Christie conducted the first sale in London, England, on 5 December 1766, and the earliest auction catalogue the company retains is from December 1766...
)