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Francis Hayman Art

British, 1708-1776

Born in 1708 to a respectable Devonshire family, Francis Hayman’s training began at the tender age of ten under the tutelage of the historical painter Robert Brown, who was probably an uncle. By the 1730s, he is known to have been engaged in painting scenery for the popular theatres on Goodman’s Fields and Drury Lane. He established a studio on St Martin’s Lane and demonstrated his versatility as one of the most important painters of his time in portraits, illustration and history painting. Indeed, he was one of the first English painters deemed to have the skill and proficiency to rival that of the foreign masters, such as Holbein and Kneller, who were brought in by the court to make up for the perceived shortcomings of the native artists. Led by William Hogarth, Hayman and other artists began to create a new movement in the English art world. Thomas Gainsborough was one of his pupils, whom he is said to have introduced to the more lascivious and debauched underbelly of London life. After mostly making his living as an illustrator, in the 1740s Hayman was commissioned by the proprietor of the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, Jonathan Tyers, to produce a series of four large celebratory canvases depicting British victories from the Seven Years War. His association with Tyers continued, and over the next ten years, he produced a number of large decorative paintings for the ornate supper boxes that were a very popular feature of the gardens. Success as a portrait and conversation piece artist arose from his relaxed style, which cast aside the usual formal settings and poses to embrace the genteel environments of the urban middle classes in society, depicting their privileged life. These were often painted in the rococo style, which had become very popular in England in the early eighteenth century. In 1768, Hayman is listed as a founding member of the Royal Academy, and rather ironically, given his rather wayward character, held the office of Academy Librarian from 1771 until his death in 1776. He is believed to have been married twice, although there is no surviving record of his first marriage. Hayman died of gout in his house on Dean Street in Soho in February 1776. He is buried in an unmarked grave in nearby St Anne’s churchyard. We are grateful to Professor Brian Allen for confirming the attribution to Francis Hayman based on the first-hand examination of the work.

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Artist: Francis Hayman
Portrait of a Privateer
By Francis Hayman
Located in London, GB
Portrait of a Privateer Francis Hayman 1708 - 1776 Oil on canvas Image size: 20 x 14 inches (51 x 36 cm) Contemporary style frame Provenance Charles Fleischmann Esq Here, a small ...
Category

18th Century English School Francis Hayman Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Self-Portrait - Royal Academy Founding Member, 18th Century
By Francis Hayman
Located in London, GB
Francis Hayman RA 1708–1776 Self-Portrait Oil on oak panel Image size: 8 x 6¼ inches Contemporary gilt frame This newly discovered work is the earliest known self portrait by Francis Hayman, dated to the mid to late 1720’s. The small scale of the portrait gives it a strong sense of intimacy. Whereas clients would often dress themselves in their best clothes for a sitting, Hayman has portrayed himself in informal attire, with his shirt unbuttoned and a wig cap. Born in 1708 to a respectable Devonshire family, his training began at the tender age of ten under the tutelage of the historical painter Robert Brown, who was probably an uncle. By the 1730’s he is known to have been engaged in painting scenery for the popular theatres on Goodman’s Fields and Drury Lane. He established a studio on St Martin’s Lane, and demonstrated his versatility as one of the most important painters of his time in portraits, illustration and history painting. Indeed, he was one of the first English painters deemed to have the skill and proficiency to rival that of the foreign masters, such as Holbein and Kneller, who were brought in by the court to make up for the perceived shortcomings of the native artists. Led by William Hogarth, Hayman and other artists began to create a new movement in the English art world. Thomas Gainsborough was one of his pupils, whom he is said to have introduced to the more lascivious and debauched underbelly of London life. After mostly making his living as an illustrator, in the 1740’s Hayman was commissioned by the proprietor of the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, Jonathan Tyers, to produce a series of four large celebratory canvases depicting British victories from the Seven Years War. His association with Tyers continued, and over the next ten years he produced a number of large decorative paintings...
Category

18th Century Old Masters Francis Hayman Art

Materials

Oak, Oil Pastel

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Previously Available Items
Portrait of Peregrine Bertie (1709-1777)
By Francis Hayman
Located in Stoke, Hampshire
Francis Hayman R.A. (1708-1776) Portrait of Peregrine Bertie (1709-1777) The original canvas was signed and dated 1744 (on reverse) Oil on canvas Canvas Size - 30 x 25 in Born in Exeter, Devon, Hayman begun his artistic career as a scene painter in London's Drury Lane theatre (where he also appeared in minor roles) before establishing a studio in St Martin's Lane. A versatile artist influenced by the French Rococo style, he achieved some note during the 1740s through decorative paintings executed for the supper boxes at Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens in London. Hayman was also a successful portraitist and history painter. Combining some of these, he contributed 31 pictures to a 1744 edition of Shakespeare's plays by Sir Thomas Hanmer, and later portrayed many leading contemporary actors in Shakespearean roles, including David Garrick...
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18th Century Old Masters Francis Hayman Art

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Oil

Francis Hayman art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Francis Hayman art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Francis Hayman in crayon, oak, oil pastel and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 18th century and is mostly associated with the Old Masters style. Not every interior allows for large Francis Hayman art, so small editions measuring 7 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Sir Godfrey Kneller, Studio of Sir Peter Lely, and George Romney. Francis Hayman art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $38,344 and tops out at $38,344, while the average work can sell for $38,344.

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