Background
Almost certainly taught by his father, he exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1800-1803.
Almost certainly taught by his father, he exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1800-1803.
Little is known of his early years, except that in 1767 he was born in Orchard Street in London, off Portman Square, where his father lived after moving from his native Ireland. Three of them, beside himself, took to the practice of art, but George was by far the most gifted artistically. His earlier works were views of the Thames Valley and Home Counties and a few of Wales, but he increasingly turned to romantic compositions of a Claudian type showing poetic sunrises and sunsets without reference to locality.
A truly visionary painter, his artistic power remained unimpaired to the last, even though his life was one long struggle against financial ruin.
He lived most of his life in Paddington, where he died on 19 March 1842. He was buried in the ancient churchyard of Saint Mary"s, Paddington.
He was an early member of the Society of Painters in Water Colours when it was founded in 1804, and exhibited prolifically, never missing an exhibition for 38 years.