THE PAINTER
This list of miniaturists with surname Thompson or Thomson, known to have worked
in Great Britain or Ireland at an appropriate date, is provided courtesy of Bob Pino
I.S. [or L.S.] Thompson was active in Great Britain in 1841, London not specified.
N. Thompson, also spelled Thomson, active London 1809-1813 and Edinburgh in 1813.
Thomas H. Thompson was known for "fancy" subjects in enamel and chalk drawings. He flourished around 1783.
Thomas [T.?] Thompson (b. 1762?) exhibited portrait miniatures at the Royal Academy and British Institution from 1793 to 1796. He exhibited no miniatures after 1796.
W. J. Thompson (1771/73 Savannah, Georgia -1845 Edinburgh). He painted in both London and Edinburgh but no dates are given for his active periods at either location. His signature appears not match the writing on the reverse of this Blennerhassett portrait.
E.W. Thomson (1770-1845), who alternatively signed Thompson, exhibited in Paris between 1824 and 1830 and at the RA from 1832-1839. While there is some similarity in his style of painting and that in this Blennerhassett portrait, many characteristics of his work are missing.
Two artists of the other 13 who spelled their surname Thomson fit into the period but there is scant information relating to them. These are E. Thomson, active London c.1801 and H. Thomson, active London c.1818.
Thomas Clement Thompson (1778/80-1857) entered the Dublin Society Schools in 1796, exhibited in Dublin 1801-54, moved to London in 1817 and to Cheltenham in 1848.
References:
"Dictionaire International Peintres Miniaturistes, Peintres sur Porcelaine, Silouettistes" by Harry Blattel
"Miniatures, Dictionary and Guide" by Daphne Foskett
"The Miniature in Europe" by Leo R. Shidlof
THE SUBJECT
The sitter for this portrait appears a middle-aged gentleman of means. In the Blennerhassett family of Ballyseedy, Co.Kerry were four men named Arthur, three of whom took town houses in the fashionable Georgian City of Bath, Co.Somerset. As far as is known none of these had a son named John, although John was a traditional name for that branch of the family. These Arthurs are:
♦ Arthur Blennerhassett (b.1719 d.1799 at Bath) succeeded to Ballyseedy 1775, also at London 1774-1783, also at Bath 1785-1799 (two daughters).
♦ Col. Arthur Blennerhassett (b.1731 d.1810 at Bath) succeeded to Ballyseedy 1799, also at Bath 1800-1810 (one son, Edward).
♦ Arthur Blennerhassett (b.1779 d.1815 at Bath) succeeded to Ballyseedy 1810, also at Bath 1811-1815. This Arthur had a son Rev. John Blennerhassett M.A. (b.1803 d.1890), Rector of Ryme Intrinseca, Co.Dorset, whose
portrait in oil was formerly at the school at Ryme. Since closure of the village school the painting has hung in the church at Ryme. From that portrait it is clear he is not John Blennerhassett of this miniature.
♦ Arthur Blennerhassett MP (b.1799 d.1843 at Nantes, France) succeeded to Ballyseedy 1815 (sons, but not named John).
♦ There is also a seemingly unrelated John Blennerhassett (b.c1757 Ireland d.1831 at Bath), in business as stay manufacturer at Bath 1799-1831, that business continued by his widow and children. I have been unable to find the name of his father.
Thus the identity of "John Blennerhassett son of Arthur" is unknown
The owner of this fine miniature will be pleased to hear from anyone who can assist in indentfying the subject, or otherwise shed light on its history or on the artist. If you can help in any way, please get in touch 
John Blennerhassett, son of Arthur - portrait miniature
