Note 25 — HOGARTH.

James Thornhill, esq. serjeant-painter and history-painter to King George I. In June 1715, he agreed to paint the cupola of St. Paul's church for 4000 l. and was knighted in April 1720. In a flattering account given of him immediately after his death, which happened May 13, 1734, in his 57th year, he is said to have been "the greatest history-painter this kingdom ever produced, witness his elaborate works in Greenwich-Hospital, the cupola of St. Paul's, the altar-pieces of All-Souls College in Oxford, and in the church of Weymouth, where he was born; a cieling in the palace of Hampton-Court, by order of the late Earl of Halifax: his other works shine in divers noblemens' and gentlemens' houses. His later years were employed in copying the rich cartoons of Raphael in the gallery of Hampton-Court, which, though in decay, will be revived by his curious pencil, not only in their full proportions, but in many other sizes and shapes, he in a course of years had drawn them. He was chosen representative in the two last parliaments for Weymouth, and having, by his own industry, acquired a considerable estate, re-purchased the seat of his ancestors, which he re-edified and embellished. He was not only by patents appointed history-painter to their late and present majesties, but serjeant-painter, by which he was to paint all the royal palaces, coaches, barges, and the royal navy. This late patent he surrendered in favour of his only son John Thornhill, Esq. He left no other issue but one daughter, now the wife of Mr Wm. Hogarth, admired for his curious miniature conversation paintings. Sir James has left a most valuable Collection of pictures and other curiosities."