John Bagnold Burgess

John Bagnold Burgess (London 21 October 1829 – 2 November 1897 London) was an English artist known for his paintings of historical and genre scenes, principally in Spain.

He can be considered an English contributor to the mainly Iberian movement of Costumbrismo.

Life and work

Burgess was born in Chelsea, in London, and was the son of Henry William Burgess, landscape painter to William IV, and part of a family of several generations of distinguished artists (see "Family" below). He was educated at "Brompton Grammar School" and, after the death of his father when he was 10 years old, received art training from William Charles Ross, the miniature painter - who had been friend of his father. In 1848 he went to James Mathews Leigh's art school in Soho. In 1850 he exhibited a picture at the Royal Academy and in 1849 entered the Academy schools, winning the first-class medal for life drawing. Each year from 1852 until his death, Burgess was an annual contributor to the Academy's exhibitions. which was Burgess's diploma work upon being elected a full member of the Royal Academy in 1889. From 1850–97, Burgess exhibited seventy-three pictures at the Royal Academy, fifteen at the British Institution, and thirty or forty at other institutions.