Thomas B. Lawson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(aged 80–81)Thomas B. Lawson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | January 13, 1807 |
| Died | 1888 (aged 80–81) |
Thomas Bayley Lawson (January 13, 1807 – 1888) was an American artist and well-known portrait painter. Lawson was also the founder and first president of the Lowell Art Association and Whistler House Museum of Art.
Thomas was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts on January 13, 1807 to father William Lawson and mother Frances Lawson. He worked his way up in the dry goods industry, first as a clerk, then up to having his own store at the age of 21. Also having a passion for painting, he began to teach himself the art by copying famous works of other artists. By his 23rd birthday, he was accepted to the National Academy of Design in New York City where he trained for a half year in the art of drawing, and then went on to Philadelphia in the Spring of 1832 for another six months. After a year of formal training, Thomas returned to Newburyport to open his own studio, where he remained as a portrait painter for the next decade.[1]
On December 17, 1838 he married Catherine, daughter of Nathan Follansbee of Newburyport.
