Home > Johann Zoffany

Born Johannes Josephus Zauffaly in Germany, he apprenticed there under a pupil of Francesco Solimena , then studied in Italy, developing a decorative Rococo style that incorporated minute, realistic detail then went to England about 1758. Following the lead of William Hogarth, he painted scenes from London's theatrical productions. Notable in this genre are his paintings of the famed actor David Garrick in his many West End successes - e.g., The Farmer's Return (1762). His portraits were popular with George III, who became his patron and for whom he produced Queen Charlotte with Her Sons, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York.

In 1772 Zoffany went to Italy with the king's financial help and there, during a seven-year stay, executed The Tribuna of the Uffizi (1780) for the royal family. This celebrated work shows a group of connoisseurs admiring paintings and sculptures in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. He worked as a portraitist in IndiaThe Republic of India is a large multicultural country in South Asia, with a population of over one billion. The Indian economy is the fourth largest in the world, in terms of purchasing power parity, and is the world's second-fastest growing economy. from 1783 to 1789, and when he returned to England he painted such notable portraits as Charles Towneley Among His Marbles (1790). Zoffany was a founder-member of the Royal AcademyThe Royal Academy is an art institution based in London, England. History It was formed to rival the Society of Artists after an unseemly leadership dispute between two leading architects, Sir William Chambers and James Paine). Paine won, but Chambers vow (1768). He possessed brilliant technical skills and introduced greater liveliness and personal anecdote into English conversation pieces.