Sir James Thornhill
(1675 or 1676-1734), Father-in-law of William Hogarth, decorative painter and politician; MP for Weymouth and Melcombe RegisSitter associated with 14 portraits
Artist associated with 23 portraits
The leading British decorative painter in an age of foreign competition. His most famous murals are in the Painted Hall at Greenwich and in the dome of St Paul's Cathedral. His knighthood in 1720, the first to a native British artist, and his election as an MP in 1722 came at the time of his fall from favour as a painter. His daughter married William Hogarth.
by T. Maddocks, after Sir James Thornhill
stipple engraving, published 1819
NPG D27660
after William Hogarth, and after Sir James Thornhill
photographic print, early 20th century (1730)
NPG D39373
after William Hogarth, and after Sir James Thornhill
photographic print, early 20th century (1730)
NPG D40331
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.