Life
Stannard was born in Norwich, England, and became, for a short time, a pupil of Robert Ladbrooke. One of his paintings was exhibited at the Norwich Society of Artists as early as 1811 and there was a positive review of his work in a local newspaper, "The Norwich Mercury", in August 1818. He made connections with Norwich's Theatre Royale 1819-20, and his youthful work included a Scene in a Norwich Ale-house, depicting several well-known colourful characters who lived in the city.
In 1819 Stannard exhibited in London and in 1821 he visited Holland. The following year he exhibited The Ferry, from a celebrated Picture of Berchem in the Musee des Tableaux, Amsterdam. This visit to the Netherlands contributed to a new oil technique and deepened his interest in marine subjects.
Between 1820-29, Stannard exhibited work at the Royal Academy and British Institution, but by 1823 he was in a severe financial crisis, temporarily alleviated by the patronage of the Norwich manufacturer and entrepreneur John Harvey who commissioned Stannard to paint his masterwork, Thorpe Water Frolic, Afternoon.
First exhibited in 1825, Thorpe Water Frolic, Afternoon is a large oil-on-canvas work (108 x 172 cm) which depicts a civic regatta attended by almost 20,000 spectators (at a time when the population of Norwich was approximately 50,000). The Frolic was organised by John Harvey who aspired to promote Norwich as an international port.
In 1826 Stannard married fellow artist Emily Coppin (1803 - 6 Jan 1885). In 1827 a collection of his etchings were published in a volume, entitled "Norfolk Etchings".
Stannard contracted Tuberculosis and suffered from poor health for much of his later life. Friends and relatives rallied to support him to recuperate at the sea-side resort of Yarmouth where he painted Yarmouth Beach and Jetty.
Joseph Stannard died from tuberculosis in 1830 aged just 33.
Joseph Stannard was an excellent oarsman and a skilled ice-skater. His portraits were painted by William Beechey (see portrait), George Clint and Robert Ladbrooke. A memorial stone to Joseph Stannard and his wife, Emily can be viewed at the church of St John Maddermarket, Norwich.
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