John Augustus Atkinson
Encyclopedia
John Augustus Atkinson was an English artist engraver and watercolourist.
Atkinson was born in London
. In 1784, he went to St. Petersburg to his uncle James Walker, engraver to the empress Catherine the Great There he studied in the picture galleries, encouraged by Catherine and her son Paul I
and was commissioned by Paul to paint large pictures of Russian history.
In 1801, Atkinson returned to England, and in 1803 published 'A Picturesque Representation of the Manners, Customs, and Amusements of the Russians,' in 100 plates, drawn and etched by himself. He also painted in water-colours and in 1808 was elected to the Society of Painters in Water Colours
. Many of his works, during the Napoleonic wars, were of naval topics. He painted many battle scenes including a 'Battle of Waterloo,' which was engraved by John Burnet
.
His last contribution to the Academy
exhibition was in 1829. The date of his death is not recorded but his will was dated 1830 and he was still living in 1831.
Atkinson was born in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. In 1784, he went to St. Petersburg to his uncle James Walker, engraver to the empress Catherine the Great There he studied in the picture galleries, encouraged by Catherine and her son Paul I
Paul I of Russia
Paul I was the Emperor of Russia between 1796 and 1801. He also was the 72nd Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta .-Childhood:...
and was commissioned by Paul to paint large pictures of Russian history.
In 1801, Atkinson returned to England, and in 1803 published 'A Picturesque Representation of the Manners, Customs, and Amusements of the Russians,' in 100 plates, drawn and etched by himself. He also painted in water-colours and in 1808 was elected to the Society of Painters in Water Colours
Royal Watercolour Society
The Royal Watercolour Society is an English institution of painters working in watercolours...
. Many of his works, during the Napoleonic wars, were of naval topics. He painted many battle scenes including a 'Battle of Waterloo,' which was engraved by John Burnet
John Burnet (painter)
John Burnet was a Scottish engraver and painter.-Life:Son of the Surveyor-General of Excise of Scotland, Burnet was born either in Edinburgh in 1781 or in Fisherrow in 1784...
.
His last contribution to the Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
exhibition was in 1829. The date of his death is not recorded but his will was dated 1830 and he was still living in 1831.
Selected works
- Carriage on Sledges 1803 Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, British Columbia
- A Russian Village 1804 Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, British Columbia
- Golubtza 1804 Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, British Columbia
- Village Amusements 1804 Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, British Columbia
- Scene from Tom Jones Courtauld Institute of Art, London
- The Slack Rope Courtauld Institute of Art, London
- A Belgian Waggon with Four Horses Tate Gallery, London
- Illustrations to Ossian The Huntington Library, California
- Heaving a Lead 1807 National Maritime Museum
- Greenwich Pensioners 1808 National Maritime Museum
- Skating, 1810 Tyne & Wear Museums, England
- Ships of the Reign of King Edward IV 1812 - Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
- 42nd Highlanders at Waterloo Courtauld Institute of Art, London
- British Sailors Boarding a Man of War 1815 National Maritime Museum