Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Powell, John (fl.1796-1829)
POWELL, JOHN (fl. 1796–1829), water-colour-painter, is stated to have been born about 1780. He painted at first in oils, but subsequently devoted himself almost entirely to water-colours. His subjects were landscapes, chiefly drawn from English scenery, but sometimes of a topographical nature. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the ‘Old’ Society of Painters in Water-colours at the time of its foundation. Powell was largely engaged as a teacher of painting in water-colours; Samuel Redgrave [q. v.] was among his numerous pupils. Powell was a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy exhibitions from 1796 to 1829. He showed also considerable skill as an etcher, and published some etchings of trees for the use of his pupils, and some landscape etchings after the old masters. An etching of a landscape by Domenichino, now in the National Gallery, is executed with much force. He also published a few lithographs. There are water-colour drawings by him in the print-room at the British Museum, and at the South Kensington Museum. The date of his death has not been ascertained.
[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Graves's Dict. of Artists, 1760–1893; South Kensington Mus. Cat. of British Art.]