Explore: John George Landseer

(1769 - 1852)

John George Landseer was born in Lincoln; the son of a jeweller. After moving to London, he was apprenticed to W. Byrne. His earliest work was for J. Farington’s ‘Views in the Lake Country’ (1784-88). He also produced plates for D. Hume’s ‘History of England’ (1792-93) and engraved P. J. de Loutherbourg’s Bible vignettes (1794). His children include engraver Thomas (1793/4-1880), painter Charles (1799/1800-1879), painter Sir Edwin (1802-1873) and miniaturists Jessica (1807-1880) and Emma (1809-1895). He campaigned for engravers to be full members of the Royal Academy, becoming an associate in 1806. He published his ‘Lectures on the Art of Engraving’ (1807) and two short-lived journals. From 1837 he was engraver to William IV. He died at 89.