Joseph Farington
Joseph Farington entered the world on the 21st of November 1747 in Leigh, Lancashire. He was the second son born to William Farington and Esther Gilbody. His father served as rector of Warrington and vicar of Leigh. Three of his brothers found employment within the naval service of the East India Company. One brother named Edward died of yellow fever at age thirty-two. Another brother named Robert attended Brasenose College before becoming vicar of St George in the East. A third brother named George pursued painting just like Joseph himself.
Farington studied under Richard Wilson in London starting in 1763. He won premiums from the Society of Artists during 1764, 1765, and 1766 for landscape drawings. The artist joined the Royal Academy when it was founded in 1769. He became an Associate Academician in 1783 and a full Academician by 1785. Contributions to Academy exhibitions continued every year until 1801. Occasional submissions appeared between 1801 and 1813 instead. He sat on committees determining artwork placement during shows. Farington acted as executor for John Webber's estate after the fellow Academician passed away.
A trip to the Netherlands occurred in 1793 to prepare illustrations for an official record of the siege of Valenciennes. Peace of Amiens allowed travel to Paris in 1802 alongside Benjamin West and Johann Fuseli. They visited studios belonging to Jacques-Louis David and François Gérard. Antique sculpture and Italian art filled his time there. Returning from this journey changed his output significantly. He painted less and less after that European tour concluded. Evelyn Newby noted his real forte lay in careful topographical drawings prepared for folios of engravings.
Views of the Lakes of Cumberland and Westmorland appeared in print during 1785. A two-volume History of the River Thames followed with seventy-six aquatints in 1794. Cadell and Davies modernized Britannia depicta into six volumes by the early nineteenth century. Cornwall views contributed by Farington reached publication status in 1814. Drawings for Devon remained engraved but never published within the seventh volume. William Byrne's Magna Britannia project became too costly to complete entirely. Memoirs of Sir Joshua Reynolds edited by Farington spanned six volumes released in 1819.
Susan Mary Hamond married Joseph on the 19th of March 1776. The couple had no children together throughout their union. Farington maintained interest in the lives of his brothers' children regardless. His wife died in 1800 leaving him devastated emotionally. He collapsed physically and could neither draw nor paint after her passing. Painter Robert Smirke and other family members helped him recover from this grief. The loss halted his creative abilities until friends intervened.
Daily diary entries began on the 13th of July 1793 and continued until death. Only a few days were missing from the record over nearly three decades. Historians value these writings for references to London art world activities. Biographical anecdotes provide information on artists of that period. Internal workings of the Royal Academy appear frequently within the text. Industrialists in the Midlands knew him personally. Government policy details came through his wife's Walpole family connections. Warren Hastings impeachment trials attended by Farington failed politically. William Wilberforce anti-slavery campaigns followed closely by the diarist.
Christmas 1821 found Farington staying with brother Richard at Parrs Wood House in Manchester. A New Year's Eve service took place at St James Church Didsbury. He fell down the steps of the church during attendance there. Death occurred shortly after the fall ended his life. Sixteen volumes of diaries remained family heirlooms until auctioned off in 1921. The Morning Post purchased them following the sale. James Greig edited the first book form published between 1922 and 1928. Another edition spanning sixteen volumes appeared from 1978 to 1984 under K. Garlick editing.
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Common questions
When and where was Joseph Farington born?
Joseph Farington entered the world on the 21st of November 1747 in Leigh, Lancashire. He was the second son born to William Farington and Esther Gilbody.
What happened to Joseph Farington's creative abilities after his wife died?
His wife died in 1800 leaving him devastated emotionally. He collapsed physically and could neither draw nor paint after her passing until friends intervened.
How long did Joseph Farington keep a daily diary record?
Daily diary entries began on the 13th of July 1793 and continued until death. Only a few days were missing from the record over nearly three decades.
Why did Joseph Farington stop painting after his European tour?
Returning from this journey changed his output significantly. He painted less and less after that European tour concluded.
How did Joseph Farington die during Christmas 1821?
He fell down the steps of St James Church Didsbury during attendance there. Death occurred shortly after the fall ended his life.