John Crome
Encyclopedia
John Crome was an English landscape artist of the Romantic
era, one of the principal artists of the "Norwich school". He is known as Old Crome to distinguish him from his son, John Berney Crome
, who was also a well-known artist.
Crome was born in Norwich
in Norfolk
, the son of a weaver. After a period as an errand boy (from the age of 12), he was apprenticed to a Francis Whisler, house, coach and sign painter. It was about this time that he formed a friendship with Robert Ladbrooke, then an apprentice printer, who also went on to become a celebrated landscape painter. The pair shared a room together and went on sketching trips in the fields and lanes around Norwich. They also occasionally bought art prints to copy.
Crome and Ladbrooke were able to sell some of their art work to a local print-seller, "Smith and Jaggers" of Norwich. It was probably through the print-seller that John met a local man, Thomas Harvey (of Old Catton
, Norfolk), through whom he was able to set up as a drawing teacher. He also had access to Harvey's art collection which allowed him to hone his skills by copying the works of masters like Gainsborough
and Hobbemas
. Crome received further art instruction and encouragement from notable artists Sir William Beechey
R.A. and John Opie
R.A.
In October 1792 Crome married Phoebe Berney - they went on to have 2 daughters and 6 sons. His eldest son, John Berney Crome
(1794–1842) was also a landscape painter of note, as was his third son William Henry Crome (1806–67).
Crome's two main influences are considered to be Dutch 17th-century painting and the work of Wilson
. Along with John Constable (1776–1837), Crome was one of the earliest English artists to represent identifiable species of trees, rather than generalised forms. His works, renowned for their originality and vision, were inspired by direct observation of the natural world combined with a comprehensive study of Old Masters.
Crome went on to become the founder of the Norwich school of painters, of which John Sell Cotman
is another famous member. He worked both in watercolour and oil
. His oil paintings alone number in excess of 300. Many can be seen at major galleries around the world, including the Tate Gallery
and the Royal Academy
, but he is also very well represented in Norwich itself at the Castle Museum and Art Gallery. He also produced etching
s and taught art
. One of his pupils was James Stark; another was Edward Thomas Daniell
.
Crome's Broad
and nearby Crome's Farm, to the west of the River Ant
and north of How Hill
in The Broads National Park are named after "Old Crome".
Romanticism
Romanticism was an artistic, literary and intellectual movement that originated in the second half of the 18th century in Europe, and gained strength in reaction to the Industrial Revolution...
era, one of the principal artists of the "Norwich school". He is known as Old Crome to distinguish him from his son, John Berney Crome
John Berney Crome
John Berney Crome was an English landscape and marine painter associated with the Norwich School of artists. He is sometimes known as "John Bernay Crome" or by the nickname "Young Crome" to distinguish him from his father, "Old Crome".-Life:John Berney was born in Norwich in Norfolk, the eldest...
, who was also a well-known artist.
Life and work
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
in Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
, the son of a weaver. After a period as an errand boy (from the age of 12), he was apprenticed to a Francis Whisler, house, coach and sign painter. It was about this time that he formed a friendship with Robert Ladbrooke, then an apprentice printer, who also went on to become a celebrated landscape painter. The pair shared a room together and went on sketching trips in the fields and lanes around Norwich. They also occasionally bought art prints to copy.
Crome and Ladbrooke were able to sell some of their art work to a local print-seller, "Smith and Jaggers" of Norwich. It was probably through the print-seller that John met a local man, Thomas Harvey (of Old Catton
Old Catton
Old Catton is a suburban village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk which lies to the north-east of central Norwich. The parish is bounded by the Norwich International Airport at Hellesdon to the west and Sprowston to the east...
, Norfolk), through whom he was able to set up as a drawing teacher. He also had access to Harvey's art collection which allowed him to hone his skills by copying the works of masters like Gainsborough
Thomas Gainsborough
Thomas Gainsborough was an English portrait and landscape painter.-Suffolk:Thomas Gainsborough was born in Sudbury, Suffolk. He was the youngest son of John Gainsborough, a weaver and maker of woolen goods. At the age of thirteen he impressed his father with his penciling skills so that he let...
and Hobbemas
Meindert Hobbema
Meindert Hobbema , was a landscape painter of the Dutch school.-Life:The facts of his life are somewhat obscure. His chronology and signed pictures substantially contradict each other...
. Crome received further art instruction and encouragement from notable artists Sir William Beechey
William Beechey
Sir Henry William Beechey , English portrait-painter, was born at Burford, the son of William Beechey and Hannah Read ....
R.A. and John Opie
John Opie
John Opie was an English historical and portrait painter. He painted many great men and women of his day, most notably in the artistic and literary professions.-Life and work:...
R.A.
In October 1792 Crome married Phoebe Berney - they went on to have 2 daughters and 6 sons. His eldest son, John Berney Crome
John Berney Crome
John Berney Crome was an English landscape and marine painter associated with the Norwich School of artists. He is sometimes known as "John Bernay Crome" or by the nickname "Young Crome" to distinguish him from his father, "Old Crome".-Life:John Berney was born in Norwich in Norfolk, the eldest...
(1794–1842) was also a landscape painter of note, as was his third son William Henry Crome (1806–67).
Crome's two main influences are considered to be Dutch 17th-century painting and the work of Wilson
Richard Wilson (painter)
Richard Wilson was a Welsh landscape painter, and one of the founder members of the Royal Academy in 1768. Wilson has been described as '...the most distinguished painter Wales has ever produced and the first to appreciate the aesthetic possibilities of his country.' He is considered to be the...
. Along with John Constable (1776–1837), Crome was one of the earliest English artists to represent identifiable species of trees, rather than generalised forms. His works, renowned for their originality and vision, were inspired by direct observation of the natural world combined with a comprehensive study of Old Masters.
Crome went on to become the founder of the Norwich school of painters, of which John Sell Cotman
John Sell Cotman
John Sell Cotman was an English marine and landscape painter, etcher, illustrator and author, one of the leading lights of the Norwich school of artists.-Early life and work:...
is another famous member. He worked both in watercolour and oil
Oil paint
Oil paint is a type of slow-drying paint that consists of particles of pigment suspended in a drying oil, commonly linseed oil. The viscosity of the paint may be modified by the addition of a solvent such as turpentine or white spirit, and varnish may be added to increase the glossiness of the...
. His oil paintings alone number in excess of 300. Many can be seen at major galleries around the world, including the Tate Gallery
Tate Gallery
The Tate is an institution that houses the United Kingdom's national collection of British Art, and International Modern and Contemporary Art...
and the Royal 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...
, but he is also very well represented in Norwich itself at the Castle Museum and Art Gallery. He also produced etching
Etching
Etching is the process of using strong acid or mordant to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in intaglio in the metal...
s and taught art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
. One of his pupils was James Stark; another was Edward Thomas Daniell
Edward Thomas Daniell
Edward Thomas Daniell was an English landscape painter and etcher associated with the Norwich School of artists.-Life:...
.
Crome's Broad
Crome's Broad
Crome's Broad is situated to the east of the River Ant, north of How Hill, within The Broads National Park in Norfolk, England.It is named after John Crome, the founder of the Norwich school of painters....
and nearby Crome's Farm, to the west of the River Ant
River Ant
The River Ant is a tributary river of the River Bure in the county of Norfolk, England. It is 17 miles long , and has an overall drop of 25 metres from source to mouth...
and north of How Hill
How Hill
How Hill lies on the River Ant within The Broads National Park in Norfolk, England.The large Edwardian building houses the Norfolk Broads Study Centre, an independent charitable organisation which runs residential environmental courses for groups of schoolchildren.The How Hill Nature Reserve is...
in The Broads National Park are named after "Old Crome".
External links
- John Crome online (ArtCyclopedia)
- Gallery of works by Crome (Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Norwich)
- Crome biography (Norwich images)
- Back of the New Mills, Norwich (1812 etching)
- The Norwich School (Andrew Graham Dixon)