Some Account ix
but an ordinary painter, was the most distin-
guished artist of that time. After spending
a few years in London, which he employed
in acquiring the rudiments of his art, on a
disagreement with his master about a very
slight matter, he in 1743 removed to Devon-
shire, where, as he told me, he passed about
three years in company from whom little
improvement could be got : when he recol-
of Richardson the Painter, was born in 1701. “ He
enjoyed” (says Lord Orford, ANECDOTES OF PAINTING,
iv. 122, 8vo.) “ for many years the chief business of por-
trait-painting in the capital, after the favourite artists, his
master and Jervas, were gone off the stage; though
Vanloo first, and Liotard afterwards, for a few years
diverted the totrent of fashion from the established pro-
fessor. Still the country gentlemen were faithful to their
compatriot, and were content with his honest similitudes,
and with the fair tied wigs, blue velvet coats, and white
satin waistcoats, which he bestowed liberally on his custo-
mers, and which, with complacency, they beheld multi-
plied in Faber’s mezzothitos. The better taste introduced
by Sir Joshua Reynolds, put an end to Hudson’s reign,
who had the good sense to resign the throne soon after
finishing his capital work, the family-piece of Charles
Duke of Marlborough.” [About 1756.] He died, Jan.
26, 1779, aged 78.