{"title":"Russell, John","description":"\u003cp\u003eJohn Russell (1745-1806) was a prominent English portrait painter and pastellist, highly regarded for his meticulous technique and characterful likenesses. Born in Guildford, Surrey, Russell was the son of a book and print seller, which exposed him early to the world of art and literature. He showed artistic promise from a young age and, after being apprenticed to Francis Cotes, a leading pastel artist of the time, Russell quickly developed his own distinctive style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRussell’s chosen medium was pastel, a relatively new and challenging material in the 18th century. He became renowned for his mastery of this medium, producing portraits with remarkable luminosity, delicate shading, and a lifelike presence. His ability to capture the sitter’s personality and expression made him much sought-after by the nobility, intellectuals, and members of the royal family. He was particularly known for his sensitive renderings of women and children, displaying a gentle touch and keen observation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout his career, Russell exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy, where his works received considerable acclaim. In 1788, he was appointed Crayon Painter to King George III, Queen Charlotte, and the Prince of Wales, a testament to his reputation and standing at court. He painted numerous notable figures of his day, including the astronomer Sir William Herschel, whose portrait became especially famous. Russell’s fascination with astronomy extended beyond his portraits: he was an amateur astronomer himself, eventually publishing a detailed lunar map and treatise on the moon’s surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRussell was a devout Methodist, and his religious convictions strongly influenced both his personal life and his art. He was known for his moral rectitude, charitable works, and strict observance of religious practices, which sometimes affected his relationships within the more secular art world. Nevertheless, his technical skill and the charm of his pastel portraits ensured his enduring popularity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to his artistic output, Russell contributed to the technical development of pastel painting, experimenting with new methods of fixing and preserving the delicate medium. He also wrote a treatise on painting, sharing his insights into materials and techniques with fellow artists and students.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohn Russell died in Hull in 1806, leaving behind a significant legacy, marking him as one of the leading portraitists of Georgian England.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"russell-john-1745-1806-dorothy-jordan-1801","title":"Russell, John (1745-1806) - Dorothy Jordan 1801","description":"\u003cp\u003eArtwork by English pastel artist John Russell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis download consists of 1 image in JPEG format that is 600dpi and 3960 pixels wide by 5360 pixels tall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe picture is out of copyright and in the public domain, so you are free to use it in whatever way you'd like, including commercial use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead more about \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.publicdomainimagelibrary.com\/collections\/russell-john?_pos=1\u0026amp;_psq=john+russell\u0026amp;_psid=2a7679970\u0026amp;_ss=e\" title=\"John Russell\"\u003eJohn Russell\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Digital Download - 1 image","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":63903943786826,"sku":null,"price":0.8,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0776\/7965\/7290\/files\/Russell_John_1745-1806_-DorothyJordan1801_main.jpg?v=1791904631"},{"product_id":"russell-john-1745-1806-portrait-of-francesco-bartolozzi-1789","title":"Russell, John (1745-1806) - Portrait of Francesco Bartolozzi 1789","description":"\u003cp\u003eArtwork by English pastel artist John Russell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis download consists of 1 image in JPEG format that is 600dpi and 3897 pixels wide by 5346 pixels tall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe picture is out of copyright and in the public domain, so you are free to use it in whatever way you'd like, including commercial use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead more about \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.publicdomainimagelibrary.com\/collections\/russell-john?_pos=1\u0026amp;_psq=john+russell\u0026amp;_psid=2a7679970\u0026amp;_ss=e\" title=\"John Russell\"\u003eJohn Russell\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Digital Download - 1 image","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":63903987106122,"sku":null,"price":0.8,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0776\/7965\/7290\/files\/Russell_John_1745-1806_-PortraitofFrancescoBartolozzi1789_main.jpg?v=1791905171"},{"product_id":"russell-john-1745-1806-portrait-of-mrs-peltro-william-tomkins-nee-lucy-jones-c-1787","title":"Russell, John (1745-1806) - Portrait of Mrs Peltro William Tomkins (nee Lucy Jones) c.1787","description":"\u003cp\u003eArtwork by English pastel artist John Russell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis download consists of 1 image in JPEG format that is 600dpi and 3906 pixels wide by 5364 pixels tall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe picture is out of copyright and in the public domain, so you are free to use it in whatever way you'd like, including commercial use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead more about \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.publicdomainimagelibrary.com\/collections\/russell-john?_pos=1\u0026amp;_psq=john+russell\u0026amp;_psid=2a7679970\u0026amp;_ss=e\" title=\"John Russell\"\u003eJohn Russell\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Digital Download - 1 image","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":63904002507082,"sku":null,"price":0.8,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0776\/7965\/7290\/files\/Russell_John_1745-1806_-PortraitofMrsPeltroWilliamTomkins_neeLucyJones__main.jpg?v=1791905513"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0776\/7965\/7290\/collections\/Russell_John_1745-1806.jpg?v=1791903979","url":"https:\/\/www.publicdomainimagelibrary.com\/collections\/russell-john.oembed","provider":"Public Domain Image Library","version":"1.0","type":"link"}