Thomas Worlidge Head of a Man in a Fur Cap

Thomas Worlidge (1700–1766)

Thomas Worlidge (1700–1766) was born in Peterborough of Roman Catholic parents. He studied art in London as a pupil of Alessandro Grimaldi (1659−1732), and subsequently received instruction from the draughtsman and engraver Louis Philippe Boitard (fl.1733–1767).

He was born in Peterborough of Roman Catholic parents, and studied art in London as a pupil of the Genoese refugee Alessandro Maria Grimaldi (1659−1732). He painted portraits of his master Grimaldi and his master's wife about 1720. He married Grimaldi's daughter, and remained on close terms with Alexander Grimaldi, his master's son. Subsequently, he received instruction from Louis Peter Boitard.

In around 1740 Worlidge settled in London in the neighbourhood of Covent Garden, where he remained for the rest of his life. He built a successful career, producing portraits of aristocrats, scholars, and notable figures of his day. In the 1750s he began to engage artistically with the prints of Rembrandt, copying and adapting his figures and motifs. He also worked intensively with Rembrandt’s etching techniques and attempted to emulate Rembrandt’s early etching style.

Worlidge was honoured by his contemporaries as the ‘English Rembrandt’. His interest not only furthered his own reputation, but contributed significantly to the Rembrandt revival in England in the 18th century. He is credited with introducing the artists William Hoare and Thomas Gainsborough to the work of Rembrandt. In 1768 William Gilpin wrote, ‘Among the imitators of Rembrandt, we should not forget our countryman Worlidge; who has very ingeniously followed the manner of that master; and sometimes improved upon him. No man understood the drawing of a head better.’