Background
Rothwell was born in Athlone, Ireland to James and Elizabeth and was the oldest of their seven children.
Rothwell was born in Athlone, Ireland to James and Elizabeth and was the oldest of their seven children.
When Lawrence died in 1830, Rothwell completed many of his unfinished works and was poised to become the next foremost portrait painter in Britain and Ireland.
He subsequently moved to London and worked as a studio assistant to Thomas Lawrence. According to Leoneé Ormond"s biographical article in the Grove Dictionary of Art, Rothwell "was at the height of his powers from 1829 to 1831". He "was much influenced by Lawrence, but he lacked the incisiveness and flair of his master".
From 1831 to 1834, Rothwell toured Italy to study Italian art so that he could paint history paintings.
When he returned to London, his popularity had evaporated. In 1842 Rothwell married Rosa Marshall.
The couple had several children. In 1868, Rothwell contracted a fever while working in Rome and died.
At the age of 24, he was made a member of the newly established Royal Hibernian Academy and exhibited portraits there from 1826 to 1829.