John Inigo Richards
Encyclopedia
John Inigo Richards was an English
landscape painter
who became one of the founding members of the Royal Academy
in 1768, and was secretary to the Academy from 1788 until his death.
He studied art at the St Martin's Lane Academy in London
, where he was a noted pupil of George Lambert
(1700–1765), sometimes regarded as the 'Father of English Landscape Oil Painting'.
Like his contemporary Francis Hayman
, Richards worked as a scene painter in London's theatres (1777–1803). He retained a life-long interest in theatre design and is credited with the 1792 design of Philadelphia's Chestnut Street Theatre (America
's first purpose-built professional theatre), which it is said he based on London's Covent Garden
Theatre (the original building on a site today occupied by the Royal Opera House
).
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
landscape painter
Landscape art
Landscape art is a term that covers the depiction of natural scenery such as mountains, valleys, trees, rivers, and forests, and especially art where the main subject is a wide view, with its elements arranged into a coherent composition. In other works landscape backgrounds for figures can still...
who became one of the founding members of 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...
in 1768, and was secretary to the Academy from 1788 until his death.
He studied art at the St Martin's Lane Academy 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...
, where he was a noted pupil of George Lambert
George Lambert (English painter)
George Lambert was an English landscape artist and theatre scene painter. He has been described as the Father of English Landscape Oil Painting.-Life and work:...
(1700–1765), sometimes regarded as the 'Father of English Landscape Oil Painting'.
Like his contemporary Francis Hayman
Francis Hayman
Francis Hayman was an English painter and illustrator who became one of the founding members of the Royal Academy in 1768 and later its first librarian....
, Richards worked as a scene painter in London's theatres (1777–1803). He retained a life-long interest in theatre design and is credited with the 1792 design of Philadelphia's Chestnut Street Theatre (America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
's first purpose-built professional theatre), which it is said he based on London's Covent Garden
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
Theatre (the original building on a site today occupied by the Royal Opera House
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", after a previous use of the site of the opera house's original construction in 1732. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The...
).
External links
- Biography (Answers.com)
- J. I. Richards online (ArtCyclopedia)
- Paintings by J. I. Richards (Tate Collection, London)
- Work by J. I Richards (Royal Academy Collections, London)
- Figures outside a cottage (Watercolour, 1800 - Christie'sChristie'sChristie's is an art business and a fine arts auction house.- History :The official company literature states that founder James Christie conducted the first sale in London, England, on 5 December 1766, and the earliest auction catalogue the company retains is from December 1766...
) - Portrait of Richards (National Portrait Gallery, London)