John Linnell

Even as a child John Linnell was already producing copies of works by George Morland, a much distinguished painter at that time. These copies were sold by Linnell’s father to increase his income as a gilder and wood carver. The landscape painter John Varley discovered the child’s talent and took the thirteen-year-old with him to have him trained at the Royal Academy, where Linnell studied landscape and portrait painting. In 1807 and 1810 he was awarded a prize and began exhibiting at the Royal Academy and the Old Water Colour Society from 1807 onwards until shortly before his death. Through the influence of the portrait painter and miniaturist James Holmes he turned to miniature painting. His first work, a miniature representing his wife, had been admired by the Marchioness of Stafford, who helped him access the highest aristocratic circles. At the same time Linnell devoted himself successfully to the field of landscape painting.