John Downman (1750-1824)
Artist associated with 34 portraits
Studied briefly in Liverpool, then, from 1769, under Benjamin West, president of the Royal Academy. He spent the years 1773-5 in Italy; on his return he set himself up as a portrait painter in Cambridge. By 1779, he had returned to London and was gaining a reputation as one of the most fashionable portraitists of the day. He was patronised by the royal family, as well as such figures as the Duchess of Devonshire and the Duchess of Richmond. His popularity was largely dependent on his ability to work quickly and in quantity. In order to do so he gave up portraits in oil and devised a technique of working in chalks that allowed him to reproduce up to ten or twelve versions of the same portrait.
Unknown man, formerly known as Paul Whitehead
by John Downman
oil on canvas, 1770
NPG 1679
Constantine John Phipps, 2nd Baron Mulgrave
by John Downman
watercolour and pencil, 1782
NPG 966
attributed to John Downman
oil on copper, circa 1786
On display in Room 19 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 6091
Elizabeth (née Farren), Countess of Derby
by John Downman
chalk, 1787
NPG 2652
by Jonathan Spilsbury, after John Downman
mezzotint, published 1779
NPG D39805
by Jonathan Spilsbury, after John Downman
mezzotint, published 1779
NPG D4039
Maria Josepha Stanley (née Holroyd), Lady Stanley of Alderley; Louisa Dorothea Clinton (née Holroyd)
by and published by John Baldrey, after John Downman
hand-coloured stipple engraving, published 1 January 1783
NPG D15310
by Joseph Grozer, after John Downman
mezzotint, published 1786
NPG D32512
by Joseph Grozer, after John Downman
mezzotint, published 1786
NPG D32513
after John Downman
stipple and line engraving, early 19th century
NPG D4980
by Henry Landseer, after John Downman
stipple engraving, early 19th century
NPG D5940
Charles Middleton, 1st Baron Barham
by Marie Anne Bourlier, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after John Downman
stipple engraving, published 12 October 1809
NPG D23488
Charles Middleton, 1st Baron Barham
by Marie Anne Bourlier, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after John Downman
stipple engraving, published 12 October 1809
NPG D23489
Charles Middleton, 1st Baron Barham
by Marie Anne Bourlier, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after John Downman
stipple engraving, published 12 October 1809
NPG D23510
All paintings by this artist on the BBC Your Paintings website
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