Joseph Highmore (1692-1780)

• Was an English portrait and historical painter, illustrator and author.
• Highmore was born in London, the third son of Edward Highmore, and nephew of Thomas Highmore, Serjeant Painter to William III.
• He displayed early ability but was discouraged by his family from taking up art professionally, and began a legal training instead.
• At the age of 17 he continued to attend a drawing academy run by Godfrey Kneller and lectures on anatomy by William Cheselden.
• The years 1732 to 1734 were spent on a tour of the Netherlands and France.

• In the next few years he received patronage from the royal family.

• During the 1740s began to cater more for a middle-class clients.

• In 1762 Highmore sold the contents of his studio and retired to Canterbury. 

• Highmore died aged 87 on 3 March 1780.

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