Born in Lambeth, London, British artist John Robert Wildman was initially trained by his father but little else is known about how he developed such a keen reputation as a portraitist. During the 1820s, he rose to prominence when producing numerous works depicting the notable figures of his day. Many of these were engraved for various publishers and disseminated widely.

Around 1820, he produced a scene featuring the Yorkshire landowner, and member of parliament, Walter Fawkes accompanied by a rather stout J.M.W. Turner in the grounds at Farnley Hall. How he came to paint them is unclear but he certainly moved within the right circles.

John Robert Wildman, J.M.W. Turner and Walter Fawkes at Farnley Hall (1820)

Following his debut at the Royal Academy, British Institution and Society of British Artists, he continued to work from his London studio, living first in Mile End and later at Beaumont Square in Stepney with his wife and five children. All was apparently well and in 1841, a Royal commission followed when Prince Albert sat for him.

However, the following year, his wife Elizabeth died prematurely leaving him to raise his family single-handed. And to compound his distress, he had become seriously unwell, resulting in a near-total loss of income. The Art Union published a plea in the hope of attracting an act of philanthropy, but to little avail - in 1843, he died of “general debility”.

“Mr. John Robert Wildman, a Portrait Painter of considerable talents, has been suffering from illness so severe for the last two years, as to render him utterly incapable of pursuing his profession; his means of subsistence are entirely exhausted; he has a young family entirely dependant on him for support, and has had the misfortune recently to lose his wife by sudden death. Subscriptions will be thankfully received, and specimens of his works shown, by Messrs. Welch and Gwynne, 24, St. James's Street, Printsellers to the Royal Family.”

The life and trials of John Robert Wildman serve as a poignant reminder of the fate of many early 19th-century painters who, despite their evident skill and reputation, were consumed by the realities of their environment. He remains underrated.

Public Collections

The British Museum, Royal Museums Greenwich, Conway Hall, Dunfermline City Chambers, Guildhall Art Gallery, National Maritime Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Valence House Museum, Yale Center for British Art, National Library of Wales, Yale Center for British Art, Guildhall Art Gallery, Valence House Museum.

Timeline

1788

Born in Lambeth, London, to John Wildman, an artist and Harriet Wildman (born Williamson).

Trained by his father.

1808

Married Elizabeth Jane Morgan at St John, Hackney, Middlesex. The pair would have eight children.

1818

Lived at Princes Street, Whitechapel, London.

1823

Debuted at the Royal Academy with ‘Study from nature’. He would continue to exhibit until 1839, showing eight works.

1825

Debuted at the British Institution.

1827

Debuted at the Society of British Artists.
Lived at Eagle Place, Mile End Old Town, London.

1837

Lived at Beaumont Square, Stepney, London.

1841

Lived at Beaumont Square, Stepney, London with his wife and five children. Occupation recorded as ‘Portrait Painter’.
Mentioned in the Morning Advertiser.

“His Royal Highness Prince Albert was graciously pleased to do Mr. Johil Robert Wildman the honour of giving him a short sitting for his portrait at Buckingham Palace on the 23d June, and Mr. Wildman has further received his Royal Highness's commands to attend upon him at Windsor for a second sitting.”

Mentioned in the Morning Chronicle.

“His Royal Highness Prince Albert was graciously pleased to do Mr. John Robert Wildman the honour of giving him a second sitting for his portrait, at Windsor Castle, on Saturday, the 17th inst.”

1842

Death of wife, Elizabeth. Six children.

1843

Published in The Art Union.

“A Case of Extreme Distress. Mr. John Robert Wildman, a Portrait Painter of considerable talents, has been suffering from illness so severe for the last two years, as to render him utterly incapable of pursuing his profession; his means of subsistence are entirely exhausted; he has a young family entirely dependant on him for support, and has had the misfortune recently to lose his wife by sudden death. Subscriptions will be thankfully received, and specimens of his works shown, by Messrs. Welch and Gwynne, 24, St. James's-street, Printsellers to the Royal Family.”

1843

Died in Bath of ‘General Debility’.