Thomas Richmond (1771–1837) was an English

miniature-painter Miniature painting may refer to: * Miniature (illuminated manuscript), a small illustration used to decorate an illuminated manuscript * Persian miniature, a small painting on paper in the Persian tradition, for a book or album * Ottoman miniature, ...

Life

He was son of Thomas Richmond, originally of

Bawtry Bawtry is a market town and civil parish in the City of Doncaster in South Yorkshire, England. It lies between Doncaster, Gainsborough and Retford, on the border with Nottinghamshire and close to Lincolnshire. The town is historically part of ...

, and of an old Yorkshire family. His father was 'groom of the stables' to the

Duke of Gloucester Duke of Gloucester () is a British royal title (after Gloucester), often conferred on one of the sons of the reigning monarch. The first four creations were in the Peerage of England and the last in the Peerage of the United Kingdom; the curren ...

, and afterwards the proprietor of the Coach and Horses at Kew, where the artist was born in 1771. His mother, Ann Bone, was a cousin of

George Engleheart George Engleheart (1750–1829) was one of the greatest England, English painters of portrait miniatures, and a contemporary of Richard Cosway, John Smart, William Wood, and Richard Crosse (painter), Richard Crosse. Family and home Engleheart ...

, 'miniature-painter to the king.' Thomas became Engleheart's pupil, and was employed by the royal family in copying miniatures by his master and Richard Cosway. He also copied in miniature size many of the portraits by 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 ...

in the royal collection. His original and unsigned miniatures are numerous. Some are on ivory, others are on paper, and in many cases full or half length, with the head in colours and the rest in pencil. Though the pose of some of his figures is in the stiff manner usual at the time, the portraits are lifelike, and the drawing and expression excellent. In later years Richmond lived in the centre of fashion, 42 Half-Moon Street,

Mayfair Mayfair is an affluent area in the West End of London towards the eastern edge of Hyde Park, in the City of Westminster, between Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly and Park Lane. It is one of the most expensive districts in the world. ...

. From 1795 to 1825 he exhibited forty-six miniatures 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 ...

. One of his miniatures, a portrait of his wife (Ann Oram), painted in 1808, was engraved by

William Holl William Holl the Younger (February 1807 in Plaistow, Newham, Plaistow, Essex – 30 January 1871) was a British portrait and figure engraver, noted for his book illustrations. Life The eldest of four sons of William Holl the Elder (1771–1 ...

, jun. His eldest son, also named

Thomas Richmond Thomas Richmond (1802–1874) was a British portrait painter, known for his idealised pictures in the so-called keepsake style. He was the son of Thomas Richmond (1771–1837), the miniature painter, and the brother of George Richmond. R ...

, was born in 1802. His younger son, George Richmond, inherited many of his works. Both of his children also became noted artists. He died in 1837, and was buried in Paddington churchyard. He lies in the large western section changed into a public park (St Marys Gardens) in 1881. Although most stones were cleared during this process, Richmond's grave remains, lying to the north-west, however its value is greatly diminished by having been recently enclosed within an ugly metal cage.

References

;Attribution: {{DEFAULTSORT:Richmond, Thomas 1771 births 1837 deaths English portrait painters Portrait miniaturists