The Art of Jacob Thompson and its Wider Links
Though he achieved national acclaim, Jacob
Thompson of Penrith (1806-79) is best remembered locally as the
artist responsible for painting the altar-piece in St Andrew's
Church in the town, which he completed in 1845. Only a few years
earlier he had returned home after a successful career as a
portrait and genre painter, first in London and then for a short
while at Hitchin in Hertfordshire. Through the patronage of William
Earl of Lonsdale, as a young man Jacob had studied at the Royal
Academy Schools in London and it was to a cottage on Lord
Lonsdale's estate, The Hermitage at Hackthorpe, that he returned to
live.
Jacob Thompson devoted the remainder of his life
to painting landscapes which were praised 'for their richness,
beauty and Pre-Raphaelite truthfulness to nature'. He was a regular
exhibitor at the Royal Academy and the British Institution in
London. Here he came into contact with, and was befriended by, many
notable artists of the day such as J M W Turner, David Roberts,
Charles West Cope, H W Pickersgill and Thomas Webster, some of whom
were occasional guests at The Hermitage. One of Jacob's closest
friendships was with Samuel Lucas of Hitchin. They were kinsmen,
had been brought up as Quakers, and as an amateur artist Samuel had
also exhibited at the Royal Academy.
Penrith Museum is proud to own some of Jacob
Thompson's major works, such as The Downfall of Pride, which was
painted at Measand Beck Hall on the shores of Haweswater and
portrays children from Mardale village. These are on view together
with loans from Carlisle Museum, Hitchin Museum and private
collections in the area, some of which have never been seen in
public before.
The exhibition explores Jacob's life and career
and highlights his friendship with Samuel Lucas, a regular visitor
to the Hermitage. Together they painted many views around
Haweswater and Mardale. After Jacob's death Samuel's affection for
the area continued in his children. His son Samuel painted its
scenery and his daughters, Ann and Matilda, eventually moved to
Stanegarth, an ancient Lakeland homestead above Bampton near
Haweswater. Its present occupier, Mrs Mollie Clough, continues to
care lovingly for this historic property, treasuring the memory of
its artistic links.
