John Riley (painter)
Encyclopedia
John Riley, or Ryley, was an English portrait painter. He painted portraits of Charles II and James II, and was court painter
to William III and Mary II. One of his pupils was Jonathan Richardson
.
and keeper of the records in the Tower of London
, who was created Norroy king-at-arms
under the Commonwealth
, but reverted to his herald's office at the Restoration. Another son, Thomas Riley, was an actor.
Riley studied painting under Isaac Fuller
and Gerard Soest
, and from the latter learnt a forcible, straightforward style of portraiture which rendered his portraits noteworthy. Riley did not attain much eminence until the death of Sir Peter Lely
, when courtier and royal official Thomas Chiffinch sat for him, and was so much pleased with his portrait that he showed it to the king. Charles II gave Riley some commissions, and eventually himself sat for him. During one sitting he is said to have remarked to Riley, "Is this like me? Then oddsfish I'm an ugly fellow". Riley also painted James II
and his queen, and, on the accession of William and Mary
, he was appointed court painter.
Riley was said to be a quiet, modest man, very diffident of his own art, but his portraits are truthful and lifelike. With more self-confidence he might have attained to the position of Lely or Kneller. He was assisted in painting his draperies and accessories by John Closterman
, who finished several of Riley's pictures after his death.
Riley, who suffered very much from gout
, died in March 1691, and was buried in the church of St. Botolph, Bishopsgate
. The registers of this church contain various entries relating to his family, including the burial, on 11 January 1692–3, of his wife Jochebed.
Among Riley's pupils was Jonathan Richardson
(1665–1745), who married a niece of Riley, and, being himself the master of Thomas
(who was in his turn the master of Sir Joshua Reynolds
), transmitted a truly national strain in the art of portraiture.
Court painter
A court painter was an artist who painted for the members of a royal or noble family, sometimes on a fixed salary and on an exclusive basis where the artist was not supposed to undertake other work. Especially in the late Middle Ages, they were often given the office of valet de chambre...
to William III and Mary II. One of his pupils was Jonathan Richardson
Jonathan Richardson (painter)
Jonathan Richardson sometimes called "the Elder" to distinguish him from his son) was an English artist, collector of drawings, and writer on art, working almost entirely as a portrait-painter in London. He was considered by some art-critics as one of the three foremost painters of his time. He...
.
Life and work
Riley was born in London, one of the sons of William Riley or Ryley, Lancaster heraldHerald
A herald, or, more correctly, a herald of arms, is an officer of arms, ranking between pursuivant and king of arms. The title is often applied erroneously to all officers of arms....
and keeper of the records in the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
, who was created Norroy king-at-arms
Norroy and Ulster King of Arms
Norroy and Ulster King of Arms is one of the senior Officers of Arms of the College of Arms, and the junior of the two provincial Kings of Arms. The current office is the combination of two former appointments...
under the Commonwealth
Commonwealth of England
The Commonwealth of England was the republic which ruled first England, and then Ireland and Scotland from 1649 to 1660. Between 1653–1659 it was known as the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland...
, but reverted to his herald's office at the Restoration. Another son, Thomas Riley, was an actor.
Riley studied painting under Isaac Fuller
Isaac Fuller
-Life:Fuller is said to have studied first in France under François Perrier, probably at the new academy in Paris, under whom he acquired some style from copying the antique. But he was too fond of the tavern. He resided for some time at Oxford. In London Fuller was much employed in decorative...
and Gerard Soest
Gerard Soest
Gerard Soest , also known as Gerald Soest, was a portrait painter who was active in England during the late 17th century...
, and from the latter learnt a forcible, straightforward style of portraiture which rendered his portraits noteworthy. Riley did not attain much eminence until the death of Sir Peter Lely
Peter Lely
Sir Peter Lely was a painter of Dutch origin, whose career was nearly all spent in England, where he became the dominant portrait painter to the court.-Life:...
, when courtier and royal official Thomas Chiffinch sat for him, and was so much pleased with his portrait that he showed it to the king. Charles II gave Riley some commissions, and eventually himself sat for him. During one sitting he is said to have remarked to Riley, "Is this like me? Then oddsfish I'm an ugly fellow". Riley also painted James II
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
and his queen, and, on the accession of William and Mary
William and Mary
The phrase William and Mary usually refers to the coregency over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland, of King William III & II and Queen Mary II...
, he was appointed court painter.
Riley was said to be a quiet, modest man, very diffident of his own art, but his portraits are truthful and lifelike. With more self-confidence he might have attained to the position of Lely or Kneller. He was assisted in painting his draperies and accessories by John Closterman
John Closterman
John Closterman , portrait-painter, born in Osnabrück, the son of an artist, who taught him the rudiments of design.-Career:...
, who finished several of Riley's pictures after his death.
Riley, who suffered very much from gout
Gout
Gout is a medical condition usually characterized by recurrent attacks of acute inflammatory arthritis—a red, tender, hot, swollen joint. The metatarsal-phalangeal joint at the base of the big toe is the most commonly affected . However, it may also present as tophi, kidney stones, or urate...
, died in March 1691, and was buried in the church of St. Botolph, Bishopsgate
St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate
St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate is a Church of England church in the City of London, first mentioned in 1212 and dedicated to St Botolph.The nearest London Underground station is Liverpool Street.-History:...
. The registers of this church contain various entries relating to his family, including the burial, on 11 January 1692–3, of his wife Jochebed.
Among Riley's pupils was Jonathan Richardson
Jonathan Richardson (painter)
Jonathan Richardson sometimes called "the Elder" to distinguish him from his son) was an English artist, collector of drawings, and writer on art, working almost entirely as a portrait-painter in London. He was considered by some art-critics as one of the three foremost painters of his time. He...
(1665–1745), who married a niece of Riley, and, being himself the master of Thomas
Thomas Hudson (painter)
Thomas Hudson was an English portrait painter in the 18th century. He was born in 1701 in the West Country of the United Kingdom. His exact birthplace is unknown...
(who was in his turn the master of Sir Joshua Reynolds
Joshua Reynolds
Sir Joshua Reynolds RA FRS FRSA was an influential 18th-century English painter, specialising in portraits and promoting the "Grand Style" in painting which depended on idealization of the imperfect. He was one of the founders and first President of the Royal Academy...
), transmitted a truly national strain in the art of portraiture.
External links
- John Riley online (ArtCyclopedia)
- Portraits by John Riley (National Portrait Gallery, London)
- Riley, John: The Scullion at Christ Church (1680s) (The IndependentThe IndependentThe Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
- 25 Jan 2008) - Portrait of King Charles II (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 William Chiffinch (onlinegalleries.com)