Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Cartwright, John (fl.1763-1808)
CARTWRIGHT, JOHN (fl. 1763–1808), painter, was a member of the Free Society of Artists, and in 1763 signed the deed of enrolment of that society. He went to Rome to prosecute his artistic studies, and there became acquainted with Henry Fuseli. On his return to England he resided for several years at 100 St. Martin's Lane, and when Fuseli returned to England from Rome in 1779 he for some time shared part of Cartwright's house. Cartwright became a great personal friend of Fuseli, who gave him many hints, and occasionally assistance in his work. His historical pictures show much of Fuseli's influence, which was, however, unsuited to an artist of Cartwright's calibre. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1784 to 1808; his pictures were not confined to any one class of subject, but represented landscapes, historical and domestic subjects, and principally portraits.
[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists of the English School; Redgraves' Century of Painters, vol. i.; Graves's Dict. of Artists, 1760–1880; Pye's Patronage of British Art; Catalogues of the Exhibitions of the Royal Academy and the Free Society of Artists; Knowles's Life of Fuseli.]