Stothard, Charles Alfred Paintings

Charles Alfred Stothard was an English painter and illustrator, born on August 5, 1786, in London. He was known for his historical and antiquarian subjects. Stothard came from an artistic family; his father, Thomas Stothard, was also a well-known painter and illustrator. Despite the early death of his father in 1834, Charles pursued an artistic career and developed his own reputation in the field of art.

Stothard received his education at the Royal Academy Schools where he honed his skills in drawing and painting. His attention to detail and his passion for history and archaeology influenced his choice of subjects. He is best recognized for his work on the 'Monumental Effigies of Great Britain', which he began in 1811 and continued until his death. This work was a significant contribution to the study of medieval costume and armour, illustrating effigies and tomb monuments across Britain.

Unfortunately, Charles Alfred Stothard's life was cut short due to a tragic accident. On May 28, 1821, while he was making drawings of a window in Bere Ferrers Church in Devon, he fell from a ladder and subsequently died from his injuries. He was only 34 years old at the time of his death. His work, however, left a lasting legacy and continued to be published posthumously by his widow, Anna Eliza Stothard, who later married the historian Sir Francis Palgrave.

Despite his untimely death, Stothard’s work was highly esteemed by his contemporaries and has continued to be valuable to historians and art enthusiasts. His dedication to capturing historical artifacts and effigies with such precision has made his illustrations a reliable resource for understanding the past. Stothard's work is an important part of the art historical record, especially for those interested in the medieval period and the study of funerary monuments.