John Astley was a significant Georgian portraitist who developed a reputation for fine wine, women, and ostentatious behaviour.

Early Years

Born in Wem, Shropshire to Richard Astley, a surgeon, and Margaret Astley, John Astley’s turbulent life resembles a melodramatic novel. Numerous biographers, including close friends, have described his antics with varying degrees of disapproval and mirth, and, needless to say, it’s challenging to uncover the real artist without wading through layers of society tittle-tattle.

Magnetic Personality

Dubbed ‘Beau Astley’, it’s clear that he was exceptionally dashing and blessed with such allure that ladies were known to swoon during a sitting. Indeed, Lady Penelope Dukinfield Daniell (1722-1762), is said to have intimated that ‘if he was pleased with the portrait he might have the original’.

Thomas Hudson & Joshua Reynolds

He trained in London under the prominent portraitist Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) at the same time as Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792). Under Hudson’s tuition, he would’ve studied the old masters extensively, producing numerous copies. Hudson was known to hold a collection of drawings by Guercino (1591-1666). This process was designed to hone one’s draughtsmanship, as drawing was a key tenet in the evolution of a superior hand.

Rome

Next, he headed for Rome with the support of Lord Chesterfield, while also gaining the patronage of Sir Horace Mann. His artistic circle was particularly distinguished and included, aside from Reynolds, the ‘father of British landscape painting’, Richard Wilson (1714-1782).

Despite his notable connections, cash was an issue and he remained impoverished throughout his spell in Italy. It’s said that, on one occasion, during an exceedingly warm afternoon, he refused to remove his coat, much to the amusement of his fellow artists. Reluctantly, he finally gave way to reveal a homespun waistcoat partially constructed (at the back) of an old canvas used for painting. If this wasn’t embarrassing enough, it displayed a tremendous waterfall.

His time in Rome culminated with tuition under the esteemed Pompeo Batoni (1708-1787), during which he produced a drawing of Reynolds, which is held at the British Museum. In 1752, he returned to London via Florence, Bologna, Venice and Paris.

London

In London, working from the home of a friend, the young aspirant endeavoured to earn enough to support his natural inclination for an extravagant lifestyle but to little avail. London was a hotbed of artistic prowess where numerous portraitists plied their trade. Astley had little option but to look elsewhere for commissions, so headed for Dublin, Ireland.

Dublin

He lived in the Irish capital for three years and astonishingly earned around £3,000 by producing over 100 portraits. Described as ‘ostentatious as the peacock’, he ‘would never stir abroad without his bag and sword’ and often used ‘his naked sword as a moll-stick’. Naturally, with curious stories such as these, many were keen to sit for him.

When in Ireland, he married his first wife, simply known as a ‘beautiful Irish girl’, who he never mentioned ‘without a sigh’. The pair had a child, Sophia, but unfortunately, his wife died soon after, leaving him to return home as a widower.

Lady Penelope Dukinfield

In 1759, he married the wealthy heiress, Lady Penelope Dukinfield Daniell (1722-1762) following a rather amorous sitting. Astley was, by this point, at the height of his notoriety and travelled in his own post-chaise accompanied by a French valet in jack-boots.

Three years later, Lady Daniell died prematurely and he inherited a sizeable estate at Dukinfield, Cheshire. Within the space of ten years, he’d transformed from a penniless student into a substantial landowner. He’d also lost two wives by the age of 38.

Schomberg House

From this point on, his artistic career took a backseat as he dedicated his time to renovating various properties, including Schomberg House in Pall Mall, which he ‘most whimsically fitted up for himself’. The rumour mill was frothing and various allegations were made relating to his hedonistic activities. He’s portrayed as a Dorian Gray-type character with fewer scruples.

In 1775, he turned his hand to upgrading the old Dukinfield Hall that contained a ‘fine octagon room, in which the painted glass windows, and the inimitable marble chimneypiece, surpass conception’. And ‘the furniture is the most elegant possible’ with pictures that ‘embellish every distinct angle’. He amassed a collection of over 100 old masterpieces.

A year later, he married for a third time, to Mary Wagstaffe (1760/1-1832), one of three sisters known as ‘the Manchester Beauties’. The pair had six children, including the poet Francis Dukinfield Astley (1781-1825). They remained at Dukinfield, where he undertook numerous improvements to the estate including building an iron foundry, planting over 10,000 new trees, and installing a public house, ‘The Astley Arms’.

Regrets, I've Had A Few

Towards the end of his eventful time on Earth, perhaps due to a combination of his extravagance and excess, he fell into a state of malade, during which he bitterly rued his past misdemeanours. He exclaimed that he’d exchange his remaining fortune to recover the time he’d lost, stating:

“the first hundred pounds his pencil produced, gave him more substantial heartfelt pleasure, as the fair produce of self-exertion, than all the splendour and wealth of the after part of his life".

A rather tragic end to such a colourful span of years. He died in 1787 at Dukinfield Lodge.

He’s represented in numerous public collections including the National Portrait Gallery, Yale Library, and Manchester Art Gallery.

Public Collections

National Portrait Gallery, Yale Library, Leicester Museum & Art Gallery, Manchester Art Gallery, National Trust at Dyrham Park, National Trust at Lyme Park, Tabley House, Ulster Museum, Weston Park, Trinity College Dublin, Ulster Museum.

Timeline

1724

Born in Wem, Shropshire to Richard Astley, a surgeon, and Margaret Astley.

Studied in London under established portraitist Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) at the same time as Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792).

Gained the patronage of Lord Chesterfield.

C. 1747

Travelled to Rome.

1748

Gained the patronage of Sir Horace Mann.

1750

Trained with Pompeo Batoni (1708-1787).
Produced a drawing of Joshua Reynolds, which is held at the British Museum.

1751

Travelled to Florence.

1752

Returned to London via Bologna, Venice and Paris.

1756

Travelled to Dublin where he spent three years.

Married ‘a beautiful Irish girl’ whose name appears to be unrecorded. She possibly died in childbirth.

1759

Returned to England.
Married Lady Penelope Dukinfield Daniell (1722–1762).

1762

Death of Lady Dukinfield Daniell.

Returned to London.

1769

Acquired the lease for Schomberg House, Pall Mall.

1775

Built Dukinfield Lodge.

1776

Became the High Sheriff of Cheshire.

1777

Upon leaving Schomberg House, he sold a collection of over 100 old master paintings.

Took up residence at Dukinfield.

Married Mary Wagstaffe, a ‘celebrated beauty’.

1787

Died at Dukinfield Lodge, Cheshire.