Thomas Hudson
(1701-1779), Portrait painter and art collectorArtist associated with 182 portraits
Hudson was a portrait painter, born in Devon. He trained under the successful portrait painter Jonathan Richardson, later marrying his daughter. He had many artistic friends including William Hogarth, Allan Ramsay and Francis Hayman. Hudson retained these connections, travelling to France, Holland and Flanders with Hogarth and Hayman in 1748 and to Italy with the sculptor Louis-François Roubiliac in 1752. Having established his own portrait-painting practice, Hudson became increasingly fashionable. As the number of commissions grew, he employed drapery painters to assist him. His many pupils included Joshua Reynolds and Joseph Wright of Derby.
William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland
sold by Thomas Jefferys, and sold by William Herbert, after Thomas Hudson
mezzotint, published circa 1759
NPG D19419
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