Thomas Barker
Who was he?
Thomas Barker of Bath (1767-1847), known as 'Barker of Bath' was the
best-known of a dynasty of painters that commenced with his father,
Benjamin Barker. Thomas Barker was the second child of Benjamin
Barker
(c.1720-1793). His younger brother
Benjamin
Barker (II) also has a heritage plaque.
Why was he in Bath?
Born to some wealth, Benjamin Barker senior spent his youth on the
family
estates where he developed a keen interest in horses which lasted his
whole life. In 1781 he moved to Bath, popular with artists who preyed
upon the rich and fashionable who came to take the spa waters.
Unfortunately, Barker found that he could not make sufficient money by
painting alone, and had to supplement his earnings by painting coats of
arms on carriages and by working in a stable. Barker was the founder of
a dynasty of Bath-based artists, including his fourth child,
Benjamin Barker (II).
Thomas Barker lived at Doric House, built for him and containing its
own gallery:
The text reads
"Here lived Thomas Barker b.1769 d. 1847"
Location map of Doric House:
(c) 2011
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