Thomas Kirk (1765–1797) was an English artist, book illustrator, and engraver of the late 18th century. A pupil of Richard Cosway, Kirk exhibited the first of 25 works at 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 pur ...

in 1785. Although he illustrated James Thomson's '' The Seasons'' in 1793, he was employed most consistently by Charles Cooke for his editions of celebrated works of literature. ''Cooke's Pocket Edition of English Poets'' (1796-8) was especially popular. Kirk's illustrations impressed many of his contemporaries.

Edward Dayes Edward Dayes (1763 in London – May 1804 in London) was an English watercolour painter and engraver in mezzotint. Life He studied under William Pether, and began to exhibit at the Royal Academy in 1786, when he showed a portrait and views o ...

said of him: 'He passed like a meteor through the region of art'. He created many famous engravings based either upon his own work or works by, amongst others,

Angelica Kauffman Maria Anna Angelika Kauffmann ( ; 30 October 1741 – 5 November 1807), usually known in English as Angelica Kauffman, was a Swiss Neoclassical painter who had a successful career in London and Rome. Remembered primarily as a history painter, K ...

, Richard Westall, and Sir

Joshua Reynolds Sir Joshua Reynolds (16 July 1723 – 23 February 1792) was an English painter, specialising in portraits. John Russell said he was one of the major European painters of the 18th century. He promoted the "Grand Style" in painting which depend ...

. After his death appeared ''Outlines from the figures and compositions upon the Greek, Roman, and Etruscan vases of the late Sir William Hamilton : with engraved borders / drawn and engraved by the late Mr. Kirk''. Original drawings by him are rare, often in oval format, and owe much to the influence of Kauffman. The draughtsmanship is of the highest quality and some his pictures are described as 'ornamented' by R. W. Satchwell, who occasionally drew the surrounds. His promising career was cut short by illness. Working to the end, he died in 1797 of consumption (i.e. tuberculosis), having exhibited his final works at the Royal Academy (''Evening'' and ''A Dream'') the previous year. His last known address was 8 Judd Place West, New Road (renamed

Euston Road Euston Road is a road in Central London that runs from Marylebone Road to King's Cross. The route is part of the London Inner Ring Road and forms part of the London congestion charge zone boundary. It is named after Euston Hall, the family ...

in 1857), London.

References

*''Book Illustrators in 18th Century England'' by H. Hammelmann (Yale University Press, 1975) *''A Century of British Painters'' by Samuel and Richard Redgrave (Phaidon Press) 1765 births 1797 deaths English engravers 18th-century English painters English male painters 18th-century deaths from tuberculosis Tuberculosis deaths in England 18th-century English male artists British illustrators {{England-painter-stub