John Crome

John Crome (December 22, 1768 – April 22, 1821) was an English landscape artist of the Romantic era, one of the principal artists of the "Norwich school". He is known as Old Crome to distinguish him from his son, John Berney Crome, who was also a well-known artist.

Life and work

John Crome, by Michael W. Sharpe

Mousehold Heath, Norwich, c. 1818-1820

Crome was born in Norwich in Norfolk, the son of a weaver. After a period as an errand boy (from the age of 12), he was apprenticed to a Francis Whisler, house, coach and sign painter. It was about this time that he formed a friendship with Robert Ladbrooke, then an apprentice printer, who also went on to become a celebrated landscape painter. The pair shared a room together and went on sketching trips in the fields and lanes around Norwich. They also occasionally bought art prints to copy.

Crome and Ladbrooke were able to sell some of their art work to a local print-seller, "Smith and Jaggers" of Norwich. It was probably through the print-seller that John met a local man, Thomas Harvey (of Old Catton, Norfolk), through whom he was able to set up as a drawing teacher. He also had access to Harvey's art collection which allowed him to hone his skills by copying the works of masters like Gainsborough and Hobbemas. Crome received further art instruction and encouragement from notable artists Sir William Beechey R.A. and John Opie R.A.

In October 1792 Crome married Phoebe Berney - they went on to have 2 daughters and 6 sons. His eldest son, John Berney Crome (1794–1842) was also a landscape painter of note, as was his third son William Henry Crome (1806–67).

Crome's two main influences are considered to be Dutch 17th-century painting and the work of Wilson. Along with John Constable (1776–1837), Crome was one of the earliest English artists to represent identifiable species of trees, rather than generalised forms. His works, renowned for their originality and vision, were inspired by direct observation of the natural world combined with a comprehensive study of Old Masters.

Crome went on to become the founder of the Norwich school of painters, of which John Sell Cotman is another famous member. He worked both in watercolour and oil. His oil paintings alone number in excess of 300. Many can be seen at major galleries around the world, including the Tate Gallery and the Royal Academy, but he is also very well represented in Norwich itself at the Castle Museum and Art Gallery. He also produced etchings and taught art. One of his pupils was James Stark; another was Edward Thomas Daniell.

Crome's Broad and nearby Crome's Farm, to the west of the River Ant and north of How Hill in The Broads National Park are named after "Old Crome".

References

• Lee, Sidney. Dictionary of national biography, Volume 13 (London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1888) p. 140-43.
• Binyon, Lawrence. John Crome and John Sell Cotman (London: Seeley & Co., 1897).
• Cole, Timothy. Old English Masters (New York : The Century Co., 1902) p. 141 ff.
• 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica. John Crome.
• Cundall, H. M. The Norwich School (London: "The Studio", 1920 - illustrated).
• Mottram, R. H. John Crome of Norwich (John Lane The Bodley Head Limited, 1931).
• Clifford, Derek & Timothy. John Crome. (Faber, 1968).
• Goldberg, Norman L. John Crome the Elder: text and a critical catalogue - 2 vols. (Phaidon Press, 1978). ISBN 0-7148-1821-6
• Moore, Andrew W. The Norwich School of Artists. (HMSO/Norwich Museums Service, 1985, repr. 1995).
• Murray, P. & L. Dictionary of art and artists. (Penguin Books, 1996). ISBN 0-14-051300-0.
• Shiret, David. John Crome, Artist of the Norwich School. (The Larks Press, 1998). ISBN 0-948400-66-8

External links

• John Crome online (ArtCyclopedia)
• Gallery of works by Crome (Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Norwich)
• Crome biography (Norwich images)
• Back of the New Mills, Norwich (1812 etching)
• The Norwich School (Andrew Graham Dixon)

Persondata
Name	Crome, John
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	December 22, 1768
Place of birth
Date of death	April 22, 1821
Place of death