Thomas Crane
Encyclopedia
Thomas Crane was born at Chester
in 1808. Showing early a taste for art, in 1824 he came up to London, where he joined the schools of the Academy
, and remained two years, obtaining, in 1825, the medal for his drawings from the antique. Returning to Chester, he commenced his profession as a miniature painter, and not very long after, he published, in conjunction with a brother, some sketches of celebrated characters in North Wales, among whom were Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Ponsonby, the eccentric "Ladies of Llangollen
." In 1832 he made his first appearance as an exhibitor at the Liverpool Academy
, and continued to contribute to that Institution for many years. In 1835 he was elected an Associate, and in 1838 a full member of that Academy. But the delicate state of his health would not permit of his remaining in that town, and he removed to Torquay
, where he resided twelve years, occasionally visiting the scene of his earlier connections in the North, where he procured lucrative commissions. He died in London in 1859.
Crane was most successful in portraits of females and children, both in oil and water-colours; his treatment of such subjects being so elegant and so full of fancy as almost to make them ideal works, yet without compromising their likeness. He also painted figure subjects, as: 'The First Whisper of Love,' 'The Deserted Village,' 'The Cobbler,' 'The Old Romance,' 'The Bay Window,' and ' Masquerading,' most of which were exhibited at the Royal Academy.
Chester
Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77,040 inhabitants, and is the largest and most populous settlement of the wider unitary authority area of Cheshire West and Chester, which had a population of 328,100 according to the...
in 1808. Showing early a taste for art, in 1824 he came up to London, where he joined the schools of the 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...
, and remained two years, obtaining, in 1825, the medal for his drawings from the antique. Returning to Chester, he commenced his profession as a miniature painter, and not very long after, he published, in conjunction with a brother, some sketches of celebrated characters in North Wales, among whom were Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Ponsonby, the eccentric "Ladies of Llangollen
Ladies of Llangollen
The Ladies of Llangollen were two upper-class women from Ireland whose relationship scandalised and fascinated their contemporaries.-Early lives:...
." In 1832 he made his first appearance as an exhibitor at the Liverpool Academy
Liverpool Academy of Arts
The Liverpool Academy of Arts was founded in April 1810 as a regional equivalent of the Royal Academy, London. Two local art collectors, Henry Blundell and William Roscoe were its first Patron and Secretary, the Prince Regent gave his patronage for the next three years, and it was actively...
, and continued to contribute to that Institution for many years. In 1835 he was elected an Associate, and in 1838 a full member of that Academy. But the delicate state of his health would not permit of his remaining in that town, and he removed to Torquay
Torquay
Torquay is a town in the unitary authority area of Torbay and ceremonial county of Devon, England. It lies south of Exeter along the A380 on the north of Torbay, north-east of Plymouth and adjoins the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay. Torquay’s population of 63,998 during the...
, where he resided twelve years, occasionally visiting the scene of his earlier connections in the North, where he procured lucrative commissions. He died in London in 1859.
Crane was most successful in portraits of females and children, both in oil and water-colours; his treatment of such subjects being so elegant and so full of fancy as almost to make them ideal works, yet without compromising their likeness. He also painted figure subjects, as: 'The First Whisper of Love,' 'The Deserted Village,' 'The Cobbler,' 'The Old Romance,' 'The Bay Window,' and ' Masquerading,' most of which were exhibited at the Royal Academy.