John Martin

Painter

Birthday July 19, 1789

Birth Sign Cancer

Birthplace England

DEATH DATE Feb 17, 1854 (64)

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About

Romantic painter and engraver whose works included "The Seventh Plague of Egypt" and "The Great Day of His Wrath," which was part of his "The Last Judgment" trilogy of paintings.

Before Fame

He became a painting apprentice of Boniface Musso in 1806. He needed additional income, so he started painting sepia watercolours. His first attempt at being featured in the Royal Academy came in 1810, but the Academy rejected it.

Trivia

He developed engineering plans for the improvement of London's railway and sewers, including the Thames embankment.

Family Life

He was born in a one-room family cottage to former fencing master, Fenwick Martin. His brother William became an inventor, his brother Richard a doctor, and his brother Jonathan a rather infamous preacher. He had six children with his wife, Susan Martin.

Associated With

His painting, "Belshazzar's Feast," served as literary inspiration for Charlotte Bronte.