Biography for John Downman

Employment

Downman was one of the most admired and patronised of all the portrait artists of his period. He went to London as a young man, studying first under Benjamin West (1738-1820), a celebrated American portrait and historical painter, who had first come to the city in 1763. He also spent some time studying at the Royal Academy Schools and, in 1771 began his travels to France and Italy. He returned to England in 1775 and then made several tours around Britain before settling in Chester in 1817.
Dowman specialised in a rather pretty type of oval portrait, usually done in light watercolour, frequently over black chalk or charcoal. While these finished works are undeniably appealing, they can also seem somewhat lacking in psychological depth, his preparatory sketches are frequently considered more interesting and perceptive.