Artists

George Morland

British, 1763-1804

George Morland was born into a successful artistic family. Both his father and grandfather were recognized artists, the former of portraits, and the latter of genre scenes. Though Morland trained for several years at the Royal Academy, his initial exposure to, and training in art was under his father's tutelage. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1779, at the young age of 16. Though many artists offered to take him under their wing, Morland refused, noting that he enjoyed his freedom, and soon left home all together.

Morland saw great success at a very young age, and at only twenty-one had already made a distinguished career for himself. In 1785 he left his native home of London, and went to France where his reputation already preceded him, allowing for no shortage of commissions and notoriety. He did, however, gain as much of a reputation for his art as he did for his recklessness and extravagant spending. He found himself in great debt, and was forced to move around, though his artistic reputation and success were never tarnished by this behavior, and in fact, may have been aided by the publicity.

Morland eventually returned to England, where he was to reside for the remainder of his life. It was at this stage that he began the works that he was most known for, namely his paintings that dealt with the rustic country life of England. However, Morland also shared with Reynolds, Gainsborough and Romney, the distinction of having painted English high society of the eighteenth century. He had a particular talent for producing works that exhibited a sense of purity and simplicity, and an instinctive feeling for nature. Morland was always able to select and highlight the vital elements of a scene and depict every subject with artistic grace and beautiful representation. His coloring is subdued, but rich in tone, and vibrant in quality, and he was said to have a keen sense of lighting.
 
Exhibitions and Museums: Royal Pavilion, Brighton, England; Museum of Fine Art, Budapest, Hungary; National Gallery of Scotland; Edinburgh Hermitage Museum, Leningrad, Russia; Victoria and Albert Museum, London, England; National gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia; Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, CT; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY; National gallery of Art, Washington DC; Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, MA, Louvre, Paris, France