Biographies: Collectors, Dealers, Family, Fellow Artists, Patrons

John Opie (1761 - 1807)

Fellow artists

John Opie (1761–1807), one the most distinguished portrait painters of the Regency period, made an oil sketch of Girtin around 1800 (TG1930). From this he produced at least four finished portraits in two formats, half length (TG1924) and head and shoulders (TG1927). None of the works are dated, and it may be that at least some were commissioned by the artist’s family and patrons after Girtin’s death in November 1802. There is no documentary evidence that the two artists were particularly close, but the format of the portraits suggests that Opie at least frequented Girtin’s studio, and they strike the modern viewer as being painted from motives of friendship and professional support. Opie also portrayed Girtin’s associate in Paris, Thomas Holcroft (1745–1809) (see TG1930 figure 1), and it is possible that the portraitist was the link between the two; certainly all three shared radical sympathies.

1800 - 1801

Sketch of Thomas Girtin’s Head

TG1930

1800 - 1805

Portrait of Thomas Girtin

TG1924

1800 - 1805

Portrait Head of Thomas Girtin

TG1927

1800 - 1801

Sketch of Thomas Girtin’s Head

TG1930

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