A to Z of artists Barlow, Francis ?1626

Born in Lincolnshire Francis Barlow studied portraiture in London under the Court Painter, William Shepherd. He soon turned to painting dogs, birds, fish and usually as a subsidiary subject horses. His paintings despite having a sombre pallette are usually lively and natural. Evelyn wrote of him as "Barlow, the famous painter of Fowl, Beasts and Birds", and George Vertue describes the artist as a "sociable and pleasant companion much beloved by the gentry.....having in his younger days been a noted sportsman particularly for fishing". He was made a freeman of the Painters - Stainers Company in 1650. He combined painting for his patrons, etching some of his own work and illustrating that of others, all with great skill. Denzill Onslow was among his patrons: for him he painted the famous frieze Southern Mouthed Hounds (National Trust, Clandon Park) He etched 110 plates for his own edition of Aesop's Fables (published 1666), Ilustrated "Severall Wayes of Hunting, Hawking And Fishing according to the English manner" (1671). His drawing and etching of The Last Race before Charles the Second at Windsor 1687 is the first English Racing Print. Barlow lived mostly in Drury Lane London. Despite his success he is said to have died poor, being buried in St Margaret's Westminster 11th August 1704.