Thomas Birch, born in 1779 in London, England, was a distinguished portrait and marine painter who later became an American citizen. He is notable for his captivating paintings that reflect the luxury and sophistication of the Edwardian era.
Early Life and Career
Birch came to the United States in 1794 and assisted his artist father,
William Birch, in preparing a 29-plate collection of engravings:
Birch's Views of Philadelphia (1800). Subscribers to the series included President John Adams and Vice President Thomas Jefferson. This sold well and went into multiple editions, inspiring similar collected views of New York City, and of suburban estates surrounding Philadelphia and Baltimore.
Artistic Style and Notable Works
Birch's first major painting appears to have been a view of
Philadelphia from the Treaty Elm in Kensington, which was also engraved and published in 1804. He painted portraits until about 1807, when he took up marine-painting. Some of his most famous works depict naval battles of the War of 1812.
Birch was the first American ship portraitist, and his paintings were copied by countless artists and craftsmen in America and Europe.
Notable works include:
Museum Collections and Legacy
Birch's work is collected at
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts,
Library Company of Philadelphia,
Philadelphia Museum of Art,
Smithsonian American Art Museum, and
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. In 1833, he was elected into the
National Academy of Design as an Honorary member.
For more information on Thomas Birch's life and work, visit
WahooArt.com or
Wikipedia.
Birch died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 3, 1851. His legacy as a portrait and marine painter continues to be celebrated through his captivating paintings, which can be found in various museums and collections.
His contributions to the world of art are undeniable, and his work remains an important part of American and British art history.