Benjamin Haydon

Date of Birth: January 26, 1786

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: June 22, 1846

Biography

Benjamin Robert Haydon was an English painter and writer born on January 26, 1786, in Plymouth, Devon. He is known for his grand historical paintings and his fervent advocacy for the high art of history painting in Britain. Haydon attended the Royal Academy Schools in London but often found himself at odds with the institution and its members. Despite his talent, Haydon struggled financially throughout his life, partly due to his ambitious choice of subject matter, which did not always align with public taste. Haydon’s dedication to art extended to his written works, including his extensive and candid journals. These journals offer a vivid insight into the art world of his time, his personal struggles, and his interactions with prominent figures such as John Keats, William Wordsworth, and Charles Lamb. His most famous works include “The Raising of Lazarus,” “Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem,” and “The Mock Election.” Tragically, despite his relentless efforts and contributions to art, Haydon’s life ended in despair when he committed suicide on June 22, 1846.

5 Interesting Facts about Benjamin Haydon

1. Haydon was a passionate advocate for public art education and lobbied for the establishment of public museums and galleries.

2. He painted “Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem,” which included portraits of his friends, including the poets Wordsworth and Keats.

3. Haydon’s financial struggles were so severe that he was periodically imprisoned for debt.

4. He was a prolific writer, and his journals provide a detailed account of his life, thoughts on art, and interactions with notable contemporaries.

5. Haydon was a teacher and influenced several students, including the noted Pre-Raphaelite painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Benjamin Haydon

1. “Art is a reality, not a definition; it is not a matter of theory but of experience.”

2. “The great object of life is sensation—to feel that we exist, even though in pain.”

3. “Genius is the power of carrying the feelings of childhood into the powers of manhood.”

4. “The difficulty is not to write, but to write what you mean; not to affect your reader, but to affect him precisely as you wish.”

5. “The most difficult thing in art is to say something new which has not been said before.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Benjamin Haydon struggled financially throughout his life and did not achieve significant financial success. At his peak, his net worth was modest, and he often faced debt and financial instability.