James Nixon (–1812) was an English

miniature A miniature is a small-scale reproduction, or a small version. It may refer to: * Portrait miniature, a miniature portrait painting * Miniature art, miniature painting, engraving and sculpture * Miniature (chess), a masterful chess game or probl ...

painter.

Life

Baptised on 17 July 1741 in Lincoln, Nixon studied at the

Royal Academy Schools The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly in London. Founded in 1768, it has a unique position as an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects. Its purpo ...

from March 1769. He first exhibited with the Society of Artists (1765–1771), and from 1772 to 1805 was an annual contributor to the Royal Academy. Nixon was a leading miniaturist of his time, and held the appointments of limner to the Prince of Wales and miniature-painter to the Duchess of York; in 1778 he was elected

Associate of the Royal Academy The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly in London. Founded in 1768, it has a unique position as an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects. Its purpo ...

. He resided in London for most of his professional career, but spent periods in Edinburgh and Newcastle. Nixon married Frances Elizabeth Carrington (1752–1823), daughter of the Reverend James Carrington, chancellor of the diocese of Exeter, in Devon on 30 October 1777. Around 1780 they had a son, James, and may have had other children. Nixon died in Tiverton on 9 May 1812, aged 71. He was financially unsuccessful.

Works

Nixon painted

Elizabeth Farren Elizabeth Farren (c. 175923 April 1829) was an Irish actress of the late 18th century. Born in Cork in 1759 her father, George Farren was a surgeon. His drinking habits brought on early death and his widow returned to Liverpool. Her mother went ...

and other theatrical celebrities, as well as figures of Shakespearean characters. He sent some portraits in oil to the Royal Academy, and in 1786 a series of ten designs illustrating ''

Tristram Shandy Tristram may refer to: Literature * the title character of ''The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman'', a novel by Laurence Sterne * the title character of ''Tristram of Lyonesse'', an epic poem by Algernon Charles Swinburne *"Tristra ...

''. His portraits of Dr. Francis Willis, the Duchess of Devonshire, Elizabeth Hartley, and the sisters Jenny and Nelly Bennet were engraved.

Notes

External links

Profile on Royal Academy of Arts Collections
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nixon, James English portrait painters Portrait miniaturists 1741 births 1812 deaths English male painters Associates of the Royal Academy Alumni of the Royal Academy Schools 18th-century English painters 18th-century English male artists