When and where was John Gilbert born?
John Gilbert was born on the 21st of July 1817 in Blackheath, Surrey. He began his working life as an apprentice to a firm of estate agents before teaching himself to paint.
Questions about John Gilbert (painter)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How did John Gilbert learn to paint without formal training at the Royal Academy Schools?
John Gilbert taught himself to paint by copying prints found in books and shops while receiving only one formal instruction from George Lance. He mastered watercolour, oils, and other media through sheer persistence after being unable to enter the Royal Academy Schools due to lack of funds or connections.
What nickname did art patrons give John Gilbert for his historical paintings?
Art patrons Thomas Sheepshanks and William Mulready gave John Gilbert the nickname the Walter Scott of painting because both men shared a passion for past eras and battle scenes. The art world recognized this unique focus early on when he designed over 2000 wood-engravings for publications like The Illustrated London News.
Which major periodicals did John Gilbert work for during his career?
John Gilbert worked for Punch magazine, The Illustrated London News, and The London Journal throughout his career. He produced very many illustrations for books including nearly all important English poets and created an impressive number of wood-engravings for those periodicals.
When did John Gilbert donate his collection to the Guildhall Art Gallery?
The Guildhall Art Gallery received a collection of John Gilbert's work from him in 1893. This donation preserved his legacy within the City of London and ensured that many pieces remain accessible today through British national collections.
How many oil paintings by John Gilbert now reside in British national collections?
Nearly sixty oil paintings by John Gilbert now reside in British national collections. These works defined how Victorians visualized Elizabethan drama after he painted The Plays of William Shakespeare from around 1849 which depicted scenes from every play.