William Dobson

William Dobson (1610 – October 28, 1646), portraitist, was one of the first notable English painters, praised by his contemporary John Aubrey as "the most excellent painter that England has yet bred". He was born in London the son of a decorative artist, and was apprenticed to William Peake probably later joined the studio of Francis Cleyn. He is believed to have had access to the Royal Collection and to have copied works by Titian and Anthony Van Dyck, King Charles I chief painter. The colour and texture of Dobson's work was influenced by Venetian art, but Van Dyck's style has little apparent influence on Dobson. Van Dyck himself discovered Dobson when he noticed one of the young artists pictures in a London shop window. He introduced Dobson to the King, who had Dobson paint himself, his sons and members of the court.

Related Topics:
1610 - October 28 - 1646 - English - Painter - John Aubrey - London - William Peake - Francis Cleyn - Royal Collection - Titian - Anthony Van Dyck - King Charles I

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When Van Dyck died in 1641 Dobson probably succeeded him as sergeant-painter to the King, though proof his lacking. During the English Civil War Dobson was based at the Royalist centre of Oxford and painted many leading Cavaliers. His portrait of the future Charles II as Prince of Wales at the age of around twelve is a notable baroque composition, and perhaps his finest work. He also painted the Duke of York, Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice.

Related Topics:
English Civil War - Royalist - Oxford - Cavalier - Charles II - Prince of Wales - Baroque - Duke of York - Prince Rupert - Prince Maurice

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Around sixty of Dobson's works survice, mostly half-length portraits most of them dated from 1642 or later. The thick impasto of his early work gave way to a mere skim of paint, perhaps reflecting a wartime scarcity of materials. After Oxford fell to the Parliamentarians in June 1646 Dobson returned to London. Now without patronage he was briefly imprisoned for debt and died in poverty at the age of thirty-six.

Related Topics:
Impasto - Parliamentarian

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Dobson is regarded as a talented painter with a fine sense for colour and good powers of observation. However an entirely English training such as Dobson's could not be first rate in the early 17th century and he had technical weaknesses. There are examples of Dobson's work at Tate Britain and the National Portrait Gallery in London and at several English country houses. There is no full biography. The most comprehesive study of Dobson and his work is William Dobson, 1611?1646 an exhibition catalogue written by M. Rogers for a 1983 exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.

Related Topics:
Tate Britain - National Portrait Gallery - Country house

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