John Martin (painter)

John Martin
Portrait of John Martin by Henry Warren, 1839
Born	(1789-07-19)19 July 1789 Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, England
Died	17 February 1854(1854-02-17) (aged 64) Isle of Man
Known for	Painting, engraving, illustration
Movement	Romantic
Spouse	Susan

The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by John Martin

John Martin (19 July 1789 – 17 February 1854) was an English romantic painter.

Biography

John Martin was born in Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, on 19 July 1789. He was best known as an author of historical paintings. They were mostly inspirated by the Bible and poetical works. Martin's works were usually landscapes with little drawings of people. He was a friend of the poet Edwin Atherstone. They both liked to paint scenes of mass destruction.

After the Belgian government bought The Fall of Ninevah, the Belgian Academy made Martin a member. He also was made a Knight of the Order of Leopold by the king of Belgium.

John Martin died in Douglas, Isle of Man on 17 February 1854.

Works

The Deluge by John Martin

The Calvary by John Martin

(A selection)

• Christ Stilleth the Tempest
• The Calvary
• Belshazzar's Feast (1821)
• The Destruction of Herculanum and Poempeii (1822)
• The Deluge (1826)
• The Fall of Nineveh (1829)
• The Fallen Angels Entering Pandemonium (1841)
• The Last Man (1849)
• The Great Day of His Wrath (1851-1853)
• The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (1852)
• The Last Judgement (1853)

Bibliography

• William Feaver, The Art of John Martin, Oxford 1975.