John Gilbert (painter)

Sir John Gilbert ( born July 1, 1817 in Blackheath, London, † October 5, 1897 ) was an English painter and watercolorist. He became famous for his drawings for the Illustrated London News and the London Journal, but especially through his book illustrations for works of William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. Although self-taught dominated Gilbert numerous artistic techniques. But the main focus of his work lay with the woodcut and watercolor.

Although he was not trained academically - the shot at the Royal Academy School he had not done - he made from 1836 from both schools. 1854 Gilbert member of the Society of Painters in Watercolours, one that was initially tried as an art form in distinction from the Royal Academy for the recognition of watercolor painting. From 1871, John Gilbert lead the Society of Painters in Watercolours as president. Under his presidency, recognized the Society of Painters in Watercolours as the Royal Society of Painters in Water Colours ( since 1988 Royal Watercolour Society). 1872 Gilbert was elevated to the peerage.