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Joseph Severn

(1793-1879), Painter and Civil Servant

Early Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter associated with 3 portraits
Artist associated with 14 portraits
Ending his life as British Consul in Rome, the young painter Joseph Severn arrived in Italy's capital in November 1820 with the poet John Keats. To Severn's distress, Keats died at their villa near the Spanish Steps three months later. The aspiring history painter nevertheless stayed in Rome where, with his knowledge of Italian, sociable manner and personal charm, he was able to prosper in the art market and play a decisive role in co-founding the British academy in Rome. He exhibited portraits in the Italian genre of literary and biblical subjects.

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Martin Bastone

21 March 2021, 09:30

Although his son Arthur is mentioned, for some reason the water colourist Walter Severn, is not.
Further information can be found in Wikipedia.
I have been trying to find where the original watercolour of a piece, by the artist, that was illustrated in the Illustrated London News of 17th February 1877, called “Our boys -settling the Eastern question.” The last trace I can find of it was at the exhibition in the Dudley gallery.
I would also like to know of his other works.