Charles Exshaw

Charles Exshaw (1715?–1771) was an Irish painter, art dealer, and engraver.

Early life and family Exshaw was born in Tymon, County Dublin around 1715. His parents were merchant John (died 1746) and his wife Thomasina (née Barry). Exshaw had a sister, Mary, and 3 brothers, his twin, James, Edward, who was an editor and publisher of the Dublin Newsletter, and John, who established Exshaw's Gentleman's Magazine. He then travelled to Rome in 1759, etching the model of Italian painter Carol Maratta from life.

He went on to visit Amsterdam, where he especially studied the works of Rembrandt, and executed two etchings from his pictures, "Potiphar's Wife making Accusation against Joseph" and "Christ with his Disciples at Sea in a Storm", the latter plate being dated 1760. He also executed some etchings and mezzotint engravings of heads of boors and peasants after various Dutch masters, and a mezzotint engraving of 'A Girl with a Basket of Cherries, and Two Boys,' after Rubens.

Returning to Dublin in 1762, he held 2 more sales on 10 February 1762 and in May 1764. He subsequently settled in London in 1762, and unsuccessfully attempted to establish a drawing-school, after the example of the Caracci, in Maiden Lane, Covent Garden. Exshaw was one of the early competitors for the Society of Arts' premium for an historical painting, with a picture of ‘The Black Prince entertaining the captive French Monarch after the Battle of Cressy.’

Death He died early in 1771, probably in London, and in April of that year his collection of studies and pictures was sold by auction. In 1781, two pictures and drawing of his were exhibited at the Society of British Artists, including a view of Salisbury.