Thornton, Robert John Paintings

Robert John Thornton was a British physician and botanical writer, best known for his work 'The Temple of Flora,' or 'The Garden of Nature,' which is considered one of the greatest English botanical publications of all time. However, it seems that you may be referring to a contemporary artist or a different figure altogether, as the historical Robert John Thornton was active during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Unfortunately, without more context or a clearer identification, detailing a biography for a contemporary or less well-documented artist named Robert John Thornton is challenging.

If you are indeed inquiring about the historical figure, Robert John Thornton was born in 1768. He was not only a physician but also a botanical enthusiast. Thornton's masterpiece, 'The Temple of Flora,' was an ambitious project that combined poetic texts with large-scale and sumptuous illustrations of flowering plants. Despite its artistic value, the work was a financial failure, leading Thornton into debt.

Due to the high production costs and the economic hardships of the times, Thornton was unable to sell enough copies to cover his expenses. He attempted various strategies to promote his work, including a lottery, which was also unsuccessful. Thornton's 'The Temple of Flora' ultimately consisted of 33 plates, completed by various artists such as Peter Henderson, Philip Reinagle, and Abraham Pether, who were among the most prominent of their time.

Robert John Thornton passed away in 1837, largely unrecognized in his time for the monumental work he had created. It was only in the years following his death that 'The Temple of Flora' gained appreciation for its unique blend of art and science, and Thornton's vision was acknowledged as a masterpiece of botanical illustration.

Please provide additional details if you are looking for information on a contemporary artist named Robert John Thornton, as that would require a different biography.