John Berney Crome and John Crome, often known as 'Young Crome,' were father and son, both influential artists associated with the Norwich School of painters. John Crome, the father, was born on December 22, 1768, in Norwich, and he became one of the foremost English landscape artists of his time. He is sometimes confused with his son, John Berney Crome, who also became a painter.
John Crome, the elder, is renowned for his work that captures the beauty of the English countryside, particularly scenes around Norfolk. He founded the Norwich Society of Artists in 1803, which was one of the first provincial art movements in Britain. Crome's work is characterized by its naturalism and subtle use of light, which was a departure from the more romanticized landscape painting of his contemporaries. His landscapes often depicted the local countryside and included detailed studies of trees and undergrowth. Some of his well-known works include 'Mousehold Heath, Norwich' and 'The Poringland Oak.' John Crome died on April 22, 1821, in Norwich.
John Berney Crome, born in 1794, followed in his father's footsteps and became a landscape painter. Although he lived in the shadow of his father's substantial reputation, he developed his own style and enjoyed a respectable career. He tended to paint similar subjects to his father, such as river scenes, coastal views, and landscapes, and he also painted scenes from his travels abroad. John Berney Crome was not as innovative as his father, but his works were well-executed and contributed to the ongoing legacy of the Norwich School. He died in 1842.
It is worth noting that there is another son of John Crome, also named John, born in 1806, who is often confused with John Berney Crome. This John Crome, known as 'Young Crome,' was less well-known than his brother and father. The details of his life and work are not as well-documented, and there is some confusion in attributing certain works to either John Berney Crome or his younger brother. This John Crome passed away in 1858.
The biographical details of the Cromes, particularly the sons, can sometimes be confusing due to the similarities in their names and the overlapping timelines of their careers. Nonetheless, the Cromes, especially the father, John Crome, played a significant role in the development of the English landscape painting tradition and left a lasting impression on the art world.