1732 - 1772

Rövid tények

  • Nationality: British North America
  • Copyright status: Public domain
  • Born: 1732, British North America
  • Lifespan: 40 years

A Life in Portraiture and Music

William Johnston was a colonial American painter born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Thomas Johnston, a japanner, and Rachel Thwing. Before establishing himself as a portraitist, he began his professional life as a musician, serving as the organist at Boston's Christ Church from 1750 to 1753. His artistic journey eventually led him to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he lived from 1759 until 1762, and later to Connecticut. In Connecticut, he became the first painter to work extensively in the colony, serving residents in New London, New Haven, and the Hartford area.

His career eventually took him to Barbados, where he continued to work as a portraitist and received seventy-five pounds a year to play the organ. Johnston died in Bridgetown in April 1772, following a sudden illness.

Artistic Style and Legacy

Johnston's work is characterized by a style similar to his friend John Singleton Copley, often adopting similar poses. His paintings frequently utilize a three-quarter length format, and many of his backgrounds and poses were drawn from English mezzotints of the period. While his style is noted as being more linear than that of Joseph Blackburn, his portraits have historically been so similar to Copley's that at least three of his works were previously misidentified as belonging to the latter.

His notable works include:

Today, his legacy is preserved in several collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Connecticut Historical Society, and the Brooklyn Museum of Art.

Kérdések és válaszok

Elérhető-e 3D virtuális túra William Johnston művei között?

William Johnston művei megtekinthetők a művész virtuális, 3D-s galériájában, a 3D Galéria oldalon.

Honnan származik William Johnston?

William Johnston British North America-ban született.

Hogyan találhatok William Johnston műveit egy adott témában?

William Johnston Kulcsszavak szerint oldala a művész alkotásait kulcsszavak alapján csoportosítja.

Milyen más nevét vagy álneveit használ még William Johnston?

William Johnston más néven is ismert: Уильям Джонстон.

Gyors kvíz

Minden kérdésre csak egy helyes válasz létezik.

Kérdés 1:
What was William Johnston's first profession before becoming a painter?
Kérdés 2:
In which city was William Johnston born?
Kérdés 3:
Which famous artist was a friend of William Johnston and was six years his junior?
Kérdés 4:
Where did Johnston move in 1770 to continue his work as a portraitist?
Kérdés 5:
Which museum holds two of Johnston's paintings?