Joseph Severn

Joseph Severn ( born December 7, 1793 in London, † August 3, 1879 in Rome) was an English painter.

In his early years he painted mainly portraits effect. After studying at the Royal Academy of Arts in 1819 he exhibited his first oil painting, Hermia and Helena ( a design from Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream ) in the exhibition of the Royal Academy from. In 1820 he received an award and a three-year travel grant for his work Una and the Red Cross Knight in the Cave of Despair. He then traveled with his friend John Keats to Rome and nursed him there until his death in 1821.

1861 Severn was appointed British consul in Rome, he held that post until 1872. His most important work is Spectre Ship. Further works are Cordelia watching by the bed of Lear, The Roman Beggar, Ariel, The Fountain and Rienzi. In addition, he created a altarpiece for the St. Paul 's Church in Rome, many portraits, including one by Robert Wilhelm Bunsen and several of Keats. Severn died in Rome and was buried in the Protestant Cemetery in Rome, next to John Keats.