Peter Adolf Hall (1739–1793)

• Was a Swedish-French artist.
• Hall was born to a merchant and magistrate in Borås, who was also a Member of Parliament, Petter Börjesson Hall.

• In the years, 1755–59, he went on educational journey in Europe under the guidance of a teacher, Mr. Lars Brisman.

• In Berlin and Hamburg, Peter Adolf acquainted himself both with playing music and took a liking to the visual arts.

• To his father's chagrin, he started working in enamel and miniature painting instead of becoming a doctor. 

• In May 1766 Hall began to work as an artist in Paris.

• In 1769, he was elected to the French Academy of Fine Arts. 

• Between the years 1782-87 Hall painted an average of 70 portraits a year, of nobilities in general and people from the fashionable society.

• On 23 April 1771 he married a merchant's daughter, Marie Adelaïde Gobin.

• They would in time have three daughters and a son.

• Peter Adolf Hall was a strong supporter of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's ideology.

• Among those who visited his home were not only the art world participants and patrons but also the Marquis of Lafayette.

• Hall was present at the Storming of the Bastille as a revolutionary officer.

• In 1791 he went into exile though and never reunited with his family in Paris ever again.

• His wife's inherited wealth was confiscated by the nation and a son-in-law married to the painter's first-born was torn to pieces by a mob six weeks after their wedding.

• Hall supported his family from abroad as best as he could, but died in Belgium a few years later. 

• Next