James Lonsdale (16 May 1777, Lancaster – 17 January 1839,

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

) was a fashionable and prolific English portrait painter who exhibited some 138 works at the Royal Academy between 1802 and 1838, and was one of the founders of the

Society of British Artists The Royal Society of British Artists (RBA) is a British art body established in 1823 as the Society of British Artists, as an alternative to the Royal Academy. History The RBA commenced with twenty-seven members, and took until 1876 to reach fif ...

. His work was influenced and overshadowed by his more successful contemporary Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769–1830). Lonsdale was a pupil of George Romney (1734–1802). Lonsdale, who started off as a pattern designer at Margerison and Glover's print-works in

Catterall Catterall is a village and civil parish in the borough of Wyre, Lancashire, England. Historically in the Amounderness Hundred, it is situated on the A6 between Lancaster and Preston, a short distance from the town of Garstang, and Myerscou ...

, was encouraged as an artist by the Lancaster architect Richard Threlfall, of whom he exhibited a portrait in 1809. Lord Archibald, impressed by the quality of his painting and drawing, invited him to

Ashton Hall Ashton Hall is a largely rebuilt 14th-century mansion in the civil parish of Thurnham, Lancashire, England. It is south of the city of Lancaster and is on the east bank of the River Lune. is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as ...

. Here he met two of Lord Archibald's daughters, Lady Anne Hamilton and Lady Susan, the Countess of Dunmore. Feeling that his future would hold more promise in the city, he moved to London, becoming a favourite pupil of Romney's, accompanying him abroad on several occasions. He enrolled in 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 ...

on 23 October 1801. Lonsdale married a Lancastrian, Miss Thornton, and set up a residence in

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. The marriage produced three sons who became portrait painter, the second was James John Lonsdale,

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of Folkestone, and the last a surgeon. Highly respected, his growing list of clients enabled him to purchase

John Opie John Opie (16 May 1761 – 9 April 1807) was an English historical and portrait painter. He painted many great men and women of his day, including members of the British Royal Family, and others who were notable in the artistic and literary ...

's studio at 8

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in the City of Westminster, where he remained until his death. After settling into his new studio he made the acquaintance of the

Duke of Norfolk Duke of Norfolk is a title in the peerage of England. The seat of the Duke of Norfolk is Arundel Castle in Sussex, although the title refers to the county of Norfolk. The current duke is Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk. The dukes ...

, who commissioned him to do a large historical painting of King John and '' Magna Carta'', which later was rendered in stained glass in Arundel Castle. Besides the Duke of Norfolk, his sitters included

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, the

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, the Archibald Douglas-Hamilton, 9th Duke of Hamilton and the

Marquess of Downshire Marquess of Downshire is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1789 for Wills Hill, 1st Earl of Hillsborough, a former Secretary of State. Hill had already been created Earl of Hillsborough and Viscount Kilwarlin of County Down ...

. In 1820 the Lord Mayor of London commissioned him to do a portrait of Queen Caroline, after which he was appointed her official portrait painter. Through the Duke of Norfolk he was introduced to the Beefsteak Club, where he met with the most distinguished persons of the time. His portraits reflected accurate details of his sitters that may have been regarded as unflattering.

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* {{DEFAULTSORT:Lonsdale (painter), James 18th-century English painters English male painters 19th-century English painters People from Lancaster, Lancashire 1777 births 1839 deaths English portrait painters 19th-century English male artists 18th-century English male artists