Johann
Zoffany

Germany • 1733−1810

Johann was born in Frankfurt. He studied painting in Regensburg from the artist Martin Speer, and finally the education received in Italy, where he spent 11 years. First, the artist especially had no success in England, until he wrote a few portraits of famous actors (Garrick, Flute, West, etc.), which brought him fame. In 1762, he begins to patronize George III. In 1769, Zoffany becomes a corresponding member of the Academy, and in 1772 exhibited a picture of "the Class of anatomy at the Royal Academy", and immediately purchased by George III. In 1778, the artist returned to England. In 1783 the artist made a trip to India and having stayed there until 1790, amounted to a large fortune and returned to London, where he continued to work until his death.

Born in Frankfurt. Studied in Regensburg Martin Speer, and later in Rome; in 1760, together with Januarius Zeke he's working on the decorations of the Royal Palace in Trier. Upon returning to Regensburg, married but failed, and escaping from unhappy family life, went in 1761 to London. Here he discovers a painting inspired by the theatre, and, thanks to Benjamin Wilson, met with the actor David Garrick.

In 1762 he lives in the house of Garrick and depicts it in his painting "return of the farmer" (1762), marked the beginning of a series of "scenes interview", inspired by theatre and rising to the Hogarth. This series, the artist continued until 1770, at the request of the actor that cares about self-promotion ("Portrait of David Garrick", "Garrick in the role of Abel Drugger"). Zoffany also completed a few papers on the fantastic scenes as well as portraits in natural size.

In 1762, protected by George III, he painted portraits of members of the Royal family ("Prince of Wales and Prince Frederick in the form of cupids", 1765; the "Queen Charlotte with her two children," 1766; "George III and his family," 1770; "Queen Charlotte, Prince of Wales and the Duke of York"; "Princess Amelia").

In 1769, Zoffany becomes a corresponding member of the Academy, and in 1772 exhibited a picture of "the Class of anatomy at the Royal Academy", and immediately purchased by George III. In 1773 he went to Florence, where he wrote the song "Tribuna of the Uffizi" (1776), and in 1779 returned to England, having on the way stop in Vienna. In a time when "scenes interviews" started to go out of fashion, Zoffany takes his masterpiece, the painting "Charles Townley in his sculpture gallery" (1782). In 1783-1789 he visits India, where he wrote "Portrait of Warren Hastings with his wife". In addition to paintings on the theater, one of the great masters which he remains, his "scenes interview" was evaluated and the Royal family. Pictures painted for George III, introduced in English painting free image of families of the aristocracy. A series of portraits of the Royal family is kept in the Royal collections.

Died at strand-on-the-Green, London.

Go to biography

Publications

View all publications

Expositions

Toutes les expositions de l'artiste
View all artist's artworks
Tout le flux