Riley studied painting under Isaac Fuller and Gerard Soest, and from the latter learnt a forcible, straightforward style of portraiture which rendered his portraits noteworthy. Riley did not attain much eminence until the death of Sir Peter Lely, when courtier and royal official Thomas Chiffinch sat for him, and was so much pleased with his portrait that he showed it to the king. Charles II gave Riley some commissions, and eventually himself sat for him, apparently saying of the result: "Is this like me? Oddsfish, then I'm an ugly fellow!"[1] Riley also painted James II and Mary of Modena, and, on the accession of William III and Mary II, he was appointed Principal Painter in Ordinary, jointly with Sir Godfrey Kneller, though he only survived for three years after this.[2]
Riley was said to be a quiet, modest man, very diffident of his own art, but his portraits are truthful and lifelike. With more self-confidence he might have attained to the position of Lely or Kneller. His most successful works are often said to be three unusual portraits of servants.[3] He painted a grand full-length of Bridget Holmes dated 1686 in the Royal Collection. She was a "necessary woman" at court whose duties included emptying and scouring chamber pots and cleaning the royal apartments. She served during the reigns of Charles I, Charles II, James II, and William III and Mary II. Two other, smaller, portraits of servants are Katherine Elliot (also Royal Collection) and A Scullion in the Christ Church Picture Gallery, Oxford.[4]
He was assisted in painting (at least) his draperies and accessories by John Closterman, who finished several of Riley's pictures after his death.
Riley, who suffered very much from gout, died in March 1691, and was buried in the church of St. Botolph, Bishopsgate. The registers of this church contain various entries relating to his family, including the burial, on 11 January 1692–3, of his wife Jochebed.
Among Riley's pupils was Jonathan Richardson (1667–1745), who married a niece of Riley, and, being himself the master of Thomas Hudson (who was in his turn the master of Sir Joshua Reynolds), transmitted a truly national strain in the art of portraiture.
^Chilvers, I. (2003). The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. Oxford paperback reference. Oxford University Press. p. 530. ISBN978-0-19-953294-0. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
^"Portrait of a lady(C.1680) by Godfrey Kneller on The National Gallery of Victoria".
john, riley, painter, john, riley, ryley, 1646, march, 1691, english, portrait, painter, painted, portraits, charles, james, court, painter, william, mary, pupils, jonathan, richardson, riley, egbert, heemskerk, younger, after, john, riley, portrait, bridget, . John Riley or Ryley 1646 March 1691 was an English portrait painter He painted portraits of Charles II and James II and was court painter to William III and Mary II One of his pupils was Jonathan Richardson Riley by Egbert van Heemskerk the Younger after John Riley Portrait of Bridget Holmes by Riley 1686 Contents 1 Life and work 2 Notes 3 References 4 External linksLife and work EditRiley was born in London one of the sons of William Ryley Lancaster Herald and keeper of the records in the Tower of London who was created Norroy king at arms under the Commonwealth but reverted to his herald s office at the Restoration Another son Thomas Riley was an actor Riley studied painting under Isaac Fuller and Gerard Soest and from the latter learnt a forcible straightforward style of portraiture which rendered his portraits noteworthy Riley did not attain much eminence until the death of Sir Peter Lely when courtier and royal official Thomas Chiffinch sat for him and was so much pleased with his portrait that he showed it to the king Charles II gave Riley some commissions and eventually himself sat for him apparently saying of the result Is this like me Oddsfish then I m an ugly fellow 1 Riley also painted James II and Mary of Modena and on the accession of William III and Mary II he was appointed Principal Painter in Ordinary jointly with Sir Godfrey Kneller though he only survived for three years after this 2 Riley was said to be a quiet modest man very diffident of his own art but his portraits are truthful and lifelike With more self confidence he might have attained to the position of Lely or Kneller His most successful works are often said to be three unusual portraits of servants 3 He painted a grand full length of Bridget Holmes dated 1686 in the Royal Collection She was a necessary woman at court whose duties included emptying and scouring chamber pots and cleaning the royal apartments She served during the reigns of Charles I Charles II James II and William III and Mary II Two other smaller portraits of servants are Katherine Elliot also Royal Collection and A Scullion in the Christ Church Picture Gallery Oxford 4 He was assisted in painting at least his draperies and accessories by John Closterman who finished several of Riley s pictures after his death Riley who suffered very much from gout died in March 1691 and was buried in the church of St Botolph Bishopsgate The registers of this church contain various entries relating to his family including the burial on 11 January 1692 3 of his wife Jochebed Among Riley s pupils was Jonathan Richardson 1667 1745 who married a niece of Riley and being himself the master of Thomas Hudson who was in his turn the master of Sir Joshua Reynolds transmitted a truly national strain in the art of portraiture Notes Edit Lloyd 112 Chilvers I 2003 The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists Oxford paperback reference Oxford University Press p 530 ISBN 978 0 19 953294 0 Retrieved 1 May 2019 Portrait of a lady C 1680 by Godfrey Kneller on The National Gallery of Victoria Lloyd 112References EditLloyd Christopher The Queen s Pictures Royal Collectors through the centuries National Gallery Publications 1991 ISBN 0947645896 Riley John Dictionary of National Biography London Smith Elder amp Co 1885 1900 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to John Riley 128 artworks by or after John Riley at the Art UK site John Riley online ArtCyclopedia Portraits by John Riley National Portrait Gallery London Riley John The Scullion at Christ Church 1680s The Independent 25 Jan 2008 Portrait of King Charles II Christie s Portrait of William Chiffinch onlinegalleries com Attribution This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain Riley John Dictionary of National Biography London Smith Elder amp Co 1885 1900 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Riley painter amp oldid 1068148749, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
