Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Jones, Thomas (1743-1803)

by Lionel Henry Cust

JONES, THOMAS (1743–1803), painter, born in 1743, was younger son of Thomas Jones of Kevenlleece, near Aberedw, Radnorshire. Destined for holy orders, he studied at Jesus College, Oxford, for two years from Michaelmas 1759. In 1762 he began to study painting in London under Richard Wilson, R.A., whose style he imitated. He received in 1768 a premium from the Society of Artists. He exhibited for the first time in 1705, sending 'Gentlemen Sporting' to the Society of Artists, of which society he became a fellow. He usually painted Welsh scenery or landscapes with classical subjects, in which J. H. Mortimer [q. v.] introduced figures. In 1774 he exhibited 'The Bard,' suggested by Gray's ode. This picture (engraved by J. R. Smith) was described in the 'Morning Post' for May 1774 as 'finely romantic—a most capital piece. In 1776 William Woollett [q. v.] engraved Jones's picture of 'The Merry Villagers,' and at the time of his death was engaged on a landscape by Jones with the story of 'Dido and Æneas,' which engraving was finished by Bartolozzi, Another picture, 'The Traveller's Repose,' was engraved by James Peake. In 1776 Jones went to Rome, where he resided some years, and also to Naples, where he married a German lady. He returned to England about 1784, and continued to practise in London, and to exhibit occasionally Italian views of the Royal Academy. On the death of his elder brother he inherited the family properly at Aberedw, where he died in May 1803.

[William's Eminent Welshmen; Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Fagan's Catalogue of Woollett's Works; Nagler's Kunstler-Lexikon; Catalogues of Society of Artists and Royal Academy; Foster's Alumni Oxon. ii. 772.]

L. C.