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Thomas Hudson (1701–1779) was an English painter, almost exclusively of portraits.
Thomas Hudson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1701 |
| Died | 1779 (aged 77–78) Twickenham, London |
| Occupation | English portrait painter |
Hudson was born in Devonshire in 1701.[1] His exact birthplace is unknown. He studied under Jonathan Richardson[2] in London and, against the latter's wishes, married Richardson's daughter at some point before 1725.[citation needed]
Hudson was most prolific between 1740 and 1760 and, from 1745 until 1755 was the most successful London portraitist. He had many assistants, and employed the specialist drapery painter Joseph Van Aken.[1] Joshua Reynolds, Joseph Wright and the drapery painter Peter Toms[3] were his students.
Hudson visited the Low Countries in 1748 and Italy in 1752.[1] In 1753 he bought a house at Cross Deep, Twickenham, just upstream from Pope's Villa.[4] He retired toward the end of the 1750s. William Hickey described the elderly Hudson, "His figure was rather grotesque, being uncommonly low in stature, with a prodigious belly, and constantly wearing a large white bushy periwig. He was remarkably good tempered, and one of my first-rate favourites, notwithstanding that he often told me I should certainly be hanged.".[4][5] He died at Twickenham in 1779. His extensive private art collection was sold off in three separate sales.[6]
Many of Hudson's works may be seen in art galleries throughout the United Kingdom. They include the National Portrait Gallery,[2] the National Maritime Museum, Tate, Barnstaple Guildhall, Foundling Museum and the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery.[citation needed]
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Hudson died in 1779, aged 77 or 78.
Portrait of George II, 1744
Duchess of Portland, 1744
Charles Erskine, 1747
Admiral John Byng, 1749
Susannah Maria Cibber, 1749
George Frideric Handel, 1749
William Shirley, 1750
Admiral Peter Warren, c. 1751
Charles Yorke, c. 1756
Earl of Egmont, c. 1759
Anne van Keppel, 1742-1748
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