Thomas Girtin
(1775-1802), Watercolour painterRegency Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 7 portraits
Artist associated with 1 portrait
Girtin was one of the most original of all English watercolourists. He was a friend, rival and later an inspiration to Turner, with whom he worked closely. Taking extensive tours around Britain, he developed a romantic style of watercolour painting notable for its breadth, its marvellous effects of light and dark, and its mysterious atmosphere. He died young at the age of twenty-seven, shortly after completing his most ambitious and spectacular work, the Eidometropolis, a 360-degree panorama of London measuring over 100ft. Turner is reported to have said: 'Had Tom Girtin lived, I should have starved.'
by John Opie
oil on canvas, circa 1800
NPG 882
by and published by William Daniell, after George Dance
soft-ground etching, published 2 April 1814 (28 August 1798)
NPG D34508
by Samuel William Reynolds, published by John Girtin, after John Opie
mezzotint, published 1814 (circa 1800)
NPG D34510
by Samuel William Reynolds, after John Opie
mezzotint, published 1814 (circa 1800)
NPG D2438
by Samuel William Reynolds, after John Opie
mezzotint, published 1814 (circa 1800)
NPG D2439
by and published by William Daniell, after George Dance
soft-ground etching, published 2 April 1814 (28 August 1798)
NPG D12185
Thomas Girtin ('Liber Naturae or A Collection of Prints From the Drawings of Thomas Girtin')
by Samuel William Reynolds, published by Neill & Son, published by Fine Art Society Ltd, after John Opie
mezzotint, published 1883 (circa 1800)
NPG D34509
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