Jacob Thompson - R.A.

Mr. Jacob Thompson, whose paintings have brought him world-wide fame, was a native of Penrith, and of Quaker extraction. Though the greater part of his life was spent amid the wilds of Westmorland, at Hackthorpe, he was a Cumbrian by birth, and first saw the light in Langton Street, Penrith, April 28^th 1806, and was the son of Merrick Thompson, a Quaker, a manufacturer of checks, but who unfortunately failed in business, and was never again able to regain his former position. Jacob was educated at the Grammar School, and early showed a disposition for drawing. It was during his school days that Hannah Hewitson, an old nurse, out of her scanty savings purchased a box of colours for the young artist.

After school days were over he narrowly escaped being bound apprentice to the art preservative – printing – with the firm of Thurnam, Carlisle, but eventually he was sent to learn house-painting with Joseph Parker, with whom he had to do all the drudgery of the paint shop. This lasted two years, when a misunderstanding arose, the indenture was cancelled, and Jacob was thrown upon his own resources. He engaged himself to a second master at fifteen shillings a week, which was faithfully handed over to his mother, less eighteenpence per week for pocket money, which he spent in providing materials for his private sketching. His second master failed in business, and the youth commenced business as a sign painter and furniture grainer in a room in his father’s factory, but all the while he kept the purpose of his ambition steadily before his eyes – to become an artist.

Race-day, at Penrith, was generally a holiday, and on one of these he went out to sketch the old bridge over the River Lowther, near Brougham Hall. Planting himself in a favourable position he became so engrossed in his object that he did not notice an individual approach him and watch his efforts at producing the picture of the bridge, until the stranger addressed him: "Young man, are you not making your picture too red." He replied: "The bridge is of old red sandstone." "Yes," returned the stranger, "but age turns even red sandstone grey." Further enquiries followed as to why he was not at the races, and the replies so impressed the stranger that he gave the young artist an invitation to visit him at Lowther Castle. Jacob naturally asked: "But whom shall I ask for at the Castle?" when he received the startling but genial reply: "Oh, come and ask for Lord Lonsdale," and Lord Lonsdale, from that moment, became his firmest friend and most generous patron.

This event proved the turning-point in the young artist’s career. Lowther Castle with all its art treasures was now open to him and became the school for his earlier efforts. Ultimately he was placed, by his patron, under Mr. Laas, as a student, at the Royal Academy, and his success became a certainty. Portrait painting occupied his first years, but, in 1837, his "Harvest Home in the 14^th Century" was hung on the line, and thenceforth he struck out a more independent career.

His first wife was Ann Fricker-Bidder, who died at the Hermitage, Hackthorpe, in 1844, leaving a son, Jacob. This residence of the artist was owned* by his friend and patron, William, Earl of Lonsdale, and here most of his famous pictures were painted. "The Highland Ferry Boat" contains a group of Hackthorpe characters, neighbours of the artist, including John Atkinson, schoolmaster, and William, his son; Esther Rooke, and John, her son; and Miss Donald, the artist’s maid. The writer and many of his schoolfellows also may be found in several of his minor pictures. Amongst the famous pictures are:

Of The Hermitage, he wrote to a friend: "I prefer The Hermitage, with a modest competence, to all the honours and notoriety that might be gained by living in the metropolis. I find myself better off, and better known all over the world, although I have been buried in a small village amongst the wilds of Westmorland for thirty-six years, than those who started life with me at Royal Academy." He died and was buried amid the scenery he loved so well on December 27^th, 1879. His second wife was Miss Varty, of Stagstones, to whom he was married in 1850, and who survives him. The last though not the greatest of Mr. Thompson’s works, we call attention to are the altar pictures in Penrith Parish Church.