Thomas Creswick RA (1811-1869) was well-loved by the Victorian middle classes who scattered their walls with picturesque etchings, rural idylls, and gentle pastoral scenes. He was born in Sheffield but is known as one of the leading figures of the ‘Birmingham School’ of landscape painters. Together with artists such as David Cox (1783-1859) and Thomas Baker (1809-1864), he scoured the Isles searching for the perfect view across Britain’s green and pleasant land.

Often, this took him over the border into the Welsh valleys and the Irish pastures. But he also covered a great deal of England - particularly Devonshire.

John Ruskin, the 19th-century art critic, described Creswick as “one of the very few artists who do draw from nature and try for nature”. By this, he was referring to how Creswick was an honest painter who captured what he saw without altering a composition for the sake of aesthetics. He also sketched outside, immersed in the countryside he loved so dearly.

Over the course of his life, Creswick exhibited 266 works at the Royal Academy, the British Institution and the Suffolk Street Gallery.

Today, he’s represented in many public collections including at the V&A, Derby Art Gallery, Sheffield Museum, and the Walker Art Gallery.

Please refer to our blog article for more information about Thomas Creswick.

1811

Born in Sheffield, United Kingdom, the son of Thomas Creswick and Mary Epworth.

Studied under John Vincent Barber.

1827

Debuted at the Society of British Artists, London.

1828

Moved to London and began exhibiting at the Royal Academy, the British Institution and the Suffolk Street Gallery.

1850

Elected a member of the Royal Academy.

1869

Died at Bayswater, London.