Thomas Hudson was a British portrait painter and art collector. At the peak of his career he was considered a "portraitist of the British establishment". Later his portrait style was to go out of fashion thanks to his own student, so that he gave up painting long before his death.
Thomas Hudson was born in England in 1701. He learned painting under portrait painter Jonathan Richardson. At the age of 24 he married Richardson's daughter, allegedly against his own will. Within the next few years Hudson should rise to one of the most famous artists of his time. From about 1745 to 1755, he was widely regarded as the most successful portrait painter in London. He profited so much from the emerging fashion of portraiture that he had to employ several people in his studio in order to handle the large number of commissions. In total, he painted about 400 portraits during this period, 80 of which were processed as copperplate engravings. For his wedding Hudson was in the highest English society. He was a portraitist of the royal house around George II, but also painted portraits of the court nobility, church princes and scholars as well as actors and musicians. From the latter, the only two surviving portraits of George Frideric Handel's old age can be deduced. Hudson is said to have painted about 15 portraits of Handel.
Considered a portrait painter nationwide, Hudson counted a number of famous painters among his students. Joshua Reynolds, Joseph Wright of Derby, and Thomas Jenkins, among others, were among his students. Reynolds developed his own style of portraiture. Over the years this led to Hudson's style itself going completely out of fashion. As a consequence, Hudson gave up painting in 1767 and from then on concentrated on his art collection.
Towards the end of his life, Hudson was physically a strange figure, but remained in good spirits. William Hickey, an English lawyer, who became particularly famous for his extensive memoirs, described old Hudson as follows: "His character was quite grotesque. He was unusually short, had an amazing belly and wore a large white bushy wig all the time. He was remarkably cheerful and one of my absolute favorites, although he often told me I should be hanged by all means." Hudson finally died in 1779. After his death his remarkable art collection was sold at several London auctions.
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_Countess_of_Egmont_and_her_Eldest_Son_Char_-_(MeisterDrucke-179619).jpg "Portrait of Catherine Compton, Countess of Egmont and her Eldest Son Charles Perceval by Thomas Hudson")
_Countess_of_Egmont_and_her_Eldest_Son_Char_-_(MeisterDrucke-179619).jpg)
.jpg "Portrait of Sir James Lowther, First Earl Lonsdale, c.1755 by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "The Thistlethwayte Family by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "George Frideric Handel, 1685-1759, German composer, c1750s by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Dr. Isaac Schomberg by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Anne, Countess of Northampton by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Sir John Pole, 5th Baronet, and his Wife, Elizabeth by Thomas Hudson")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-964673).jpg "Portrait of Richard Bentley DD, c.1750 by Thomas Hudson")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-964673).jpg)
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1636277).jpg "Portrait of Margaret, Lady Oxenden, c.1755 by Thomas Hudson")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1636277).jpg)
.jpg "Portrait of Theodore Jacobsen, Architect of the Foundling Hospital, Shown Holding a Drawing of the West Front by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "H.R.H. The Duke of Cumberland, and the French Commanding Officer surrendering Carlisle to His Highness, 30th December 1745, 1746 by Thomas Hudson")
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_1760_-_(MeisterDrucke-270170).jpg "Sir George Pocock by Thomas Hudson")
_1760_-_(MeisterDrucke-270170).jpg)
_actor_and_vocalist_-_(MeisterDrucke-163423).jpg "Portrait of John Beard, Actor and Vocalist by Thomas Hudson")
_actor_and_vocalist_-_(MeisterDrucke-163423).jpg)
.jpg "King George II by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Portrait of a Man by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "John Newton, c. 1757-60 by Thomas Hudson")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1501442).jpg "Rear-Admiral Richard Tyrrell (1716/7-1766) by Thomas Hudson")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1501442).jpg)
.jpg "Portrait of James Bradley by Thomas Hudson")
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_engraved_by_William_Bromley_(1769-1842)_for_-_(MeisterDrucke-279836).jpg "George Frederick Handel, engraved by William Bromley, for Doctor Arnold")
_engraved_by_William_Bromley_(1769-1842)_for_-_(MeisterDrucke-279836).jpg)
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1643856).jpg "Portrait of a Lady in Van Dyck Dress by Thomas Hudson")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1643856).jpg)
.jpg "Two Girls in a Landscape, One Riding a Lamb by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Portrait of Francesco Bernardi Senesino, a Siennese castrato, engraved by Alexander van Haecken by Thomas Hudson")
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_(oil_on_canvas)_-_(MeisterDrucke-1132871).jpg "Portrait of Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, 3rd Baronet (1692-1749) by Thomas Hudson")
_(oil_on_canvas)_-_(MeisterDrucke-1132871).jpg)
_1749_-_(MeisterDrucke-265277).jpg "Mrs. Cibber by Thomas Hudson")
_1749_-_(MeisterDrucke-265277).jpg)
.jpg "Mary Finch, Viscountess Andover by Thomas Hudson")
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_engraved_by_Charles_Edward_Wagstaff_(b1808)_-_(MeisterDrucke-216523).jpg "Portrait of John Dryden (1631-1700) Engraved by Charles Edward Wagstaff by Thomas Hudson")
_engraved_by_Charles_Edward_Wagstaff_(b1808)_-_(MeisterDrucke-216523).jpg)
.jpg "Sir Edward Hulse, 3rd Baronet and his Brother, Samuel Hulse by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Portrait of a Lady in a Blue Gown by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Portrait of Frances Thynne, Lady Hertford, Later Duchess of Somerset by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Portrait of singer Susannah Maria Cibber by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Naphtali Franks by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Portrait of a Woman, Probably Elizabeth Aislabie, of Studley Royal, Yorkshire by Thomas Hudson")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1315557).jpg "Portrait of a Young Lady as a Shepherdess by Thomas Hudson")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1315557).jpg)
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1457833).jpg "Abraham Acworth Esq. c.1745 by Thomas Hudson")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1457833).jpg)
.jpg "Portrait of a woman, probably Elizabeth Aislabie, of Studley Royal, Yorkshire by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Princess Mary of Great Britain 1723-1772, Landgravine of Hesse-Kassel, 1750s by Thomas Hudson")
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_c1736_-_(MeisterDrucke-240167).jpg "Portrait of George Frederick Handel by Thomas Hudson")
_c1736_-_(MeisterDrucke-240167).jpg)
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1457954).jpg "Margaretta Mabella by Thomas Hudson")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1457954).jpg)
_1764_(mezzotint)_-_(MeisterDrucke-307379).jpg "Mr. Beard, engraved by James McArdell by Thomas Hudson")
_1764_(mezzotint)_-_(MeisterDrucke-307379).jpg)
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1114073).jpg "The Radcliffe Family by Thomas Hudson")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1114073).jpg)
_-_(MeisterDrucke-192373).jpg "Benn")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-192373).jpg)
.jpg "Viscount Maywerd of Much Eaton by Thomas Hudson")
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_engraved_by_J_Faber1747_(mezzotint_engraving)_-_(MeisterDrucke-202119).jpg "Flora MacDonald, engraved by J. Faber, 1747 by Thomas Hudson")
_engraved_by_J_Faber1747_(mezzotint_engraving)_-_(MeisterDrucke-202119).jpg)
_actress_and_singer_engraved_by_John_Faber_(1684_-_(MeisterDrucke-310016).jpg "Portrait of Mrs Cibber, Actress and Singer, Engraved by John Faber by Thomas Hudson")
_actress_and_singer_engraved_by_John_Faber_(1684_-_(MeisterDrucke-310016).jpg)
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1499173).jpg "Admiral Sir Peter Warren by Thomas Hudson")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1499173).jpg)
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1374508).jpg "Portrait of Mary Bertie by James McArdell")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1374508).jpg)
_(mezzotint)_-_(MeisterDrucke-117721).jpg "Francesco Bernardi Senesino (1686-1758) by Thomas Hudson")
_(mezzotint)_-_(MeisterDrucke-117721).jpg)
.jpg "James Bradley, engraved by Edward Scriven by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "James Bradley by Thomas Hudson")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1130767).jpg "Portrait of a Gentleman by Thomas Hudson")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1130767).jpg)
.jpg "Portrait of William Benn by James McArdell")
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.jpg "Alexander van Aken by Thomas Hudson")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1507958).jpg "Admiral John Byng (1704-1757) by Thomas Hudson")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1507958).jpg)
.jpg "Young Women with a Lamb by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Portrait of Stephen Hales by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Portrait of a Young Woman of the Fortesque Family of Devon by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Portrait of a Lady by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "George Frideric Handel, German-born British composer, 1911 by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Portrait of Admiral John Byng by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Portrait of Margaret, Lady Oxenden by Thomas Hudson")
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_Clockmaker_engraved_by_John_Faber_(1684-17_-_(MeisterDrucke-259540).jpg "Portrait of George Graham, Clockmaker, Engraved by John Faber by Thomas Hudson")
_Clockmaker_engraved_by_John_Faber_(1684-17_-_(MeisterDrucke-259540).jpg)
.jpg "Portrait of a Woman, Probably Elizabeth Aislabie, of Studley Royal, Yorkshire by Thomas Hudson")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-907036).jpg "Mrs. John Wendt, c.1745 by Thomas Hudson")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-907036).jpg)
.jpg "Portrait of a Young Woman of the Fortesque Family of Devon by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Portrait of a Lady by Thomas Hudson")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1374947).jpg "Portrait of Robert Henley by James McArdell")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1374947).jpg)
.jpg "Portrait of a Lady, Said to be Isabella Courtenay by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Portrait of Edward Henry Sartorius Holding a Telescope with a Coastal Landscape Beyond by Thomas Hudson")
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_actress_and_singer_engraved_by_John_Faber_(1684_-_(MeisterDrucke-68614).jpg "Portrait of Mrs Cibber, actress and singer, engraved by John Faber, 1746 by Thomas Hudson")
_actress_and_singer_engraved_by_John_Faber_(1684_-_(MeisterDrucke-68614).jpg)
.jpg "Portrait of Mrs Emma Harvey by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Alexander van Aken by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Portrait of a Lady by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Charles Pinfold by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Phila Franks by Thomas Hudson")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1093984).jpg "William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire by Thomas Hudson")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1093984).jpg)
.jpg "Miss Alicia Macartney by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "The Thistlethwayte Family by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Martin Folkes by Thomas Hudson")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1461692).jpg "Mary Finch by Thomas Hudson")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1461692).jpg)
_c1735_-_(MeisterDrucke-278489).jpg "Johannes Christophorus Pepusch, engraved by Alexander van Haecken, c.1735 by Thomas Hudson")
_c1735_-_(MeisterDrucke-278489).jpg)
.jpg "Portrait of Hugh Percy, Earl and later 1st Duke of Northumberland by Thomas Hudson")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-69747).jpg "George Frederick Handel, 1749 by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Margaret, Daughter of Sir George Chudleigh, Married Henry Oxendon by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "John Van der Wall by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Portrait of a Naval Officer in Uniform by Thomas Hudson")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-921798).jpg "Portrait of Nancy Fortesque wearing a dark blue riding habit by Thomas Hudson")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-921798).jpg)
.jpg "Lady Margaret Cavendish-Holles-Harley, Duchess of Portland by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "William Shirley by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Portrait of Richard Rey by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "King George II by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Portrait of a Lady by Thomas Hudson")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1088895).jpg "Portrait of George Frideric Handel by Thomas Hudson")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1088895).jpg)
.jpg "Portrait of Nancy Fortescue, Wearing a Dark Blue Riding Habit with Gold Frogging and Cap by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Sir Henry Bellenden by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Portrait of a Lady by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Charles Pinfold by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Unknown Picture by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Portrait of Lady Elizabeth Percy, Countess of Northumberland by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Wife of Canon Bowles by Thomas Hudson")
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.jpg "Sir Edmund Isham by Thomas Hudson")
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