James TONKIN

1758—1837

The artist was born at Sennen, Cornwall, the third son of Captain Tonkin, Commander of the Dictator, and a flour dealer and grocer in Penzance. Together with John Pope VIBERT, the artist produced a large number of lithographs of West Penwith landscapes and townscapes, including a series depicting the replacement of the Logan Rock, one of which (1824) is in the Penlee House collection. His other major talent was miniature portrait painting, for which he was called in by friends and neighbours.

He is also known to have been a musician and pianoforte tuner, and highly respected locally for his many talents.

details

James TONKIN

gender:

male

media:

Lithography, miniature portraitist and painter in watercolours; also known to have been a musician and pianoforte tuner

references:

Diane Donohue, West Penwith Resources (on-line);

Holmes An Artistic Tradition;

Tonkin family history (private collection);

memberships:

exhibitions:

works and access:

Works include: Logan Rock (lithograph, 1824); Branwell family portraits including Maria Branwell (1799), later Mrs Bronte.

Access to works: Penlee House Collection, Penzance;

The Bronte Society, Haworth, Yorkshire (Collection of Miniatures of the family);