Thomas Bardwell was an English portrait painter, copyist, and writer on art, born in 1704. He is known for his portraits of the English middle classes and was based in East Anglia. Bardwell established a reputation for his portraits which were praised for their likeness and character.
He worked in both oil and pastel, and besides painting original works, he made copies of paintings by other artists. Bardwell's copies were often of high quality and contributed to his income. His clientele for original works included country gentry and the professional classes, who appreciated his ability to capture their likenesses with a degree of sophistication and realism.
In 1756, Bardwell wrote 'The Practice of Painting and Perspective Made Easy,' which was a manual intended to instruct young artists on the technical aspects of painting. This work reflects his deep understanding of artistic techniques and the theory behind them, and it provides valuable insights into the artistic practices of the time.
Bardwell's career was mostly regional, and while he never achieved the fame of his contemporaries like Joshua Reynolds or Thomas Gainsborough, his work was nonetheless respected within his circle of patrons. His portraits continue to be appreciated for their historical value and their representation of 18th-century English provincial society.
Thomas Bardwell died in 1767. Today, his works can be found in various art collections, and they offer a window into the styles and tastes of the English middle classes during his lifetime.
