Joy, Thomas Musgrave (DNB00)

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JOY, THOMAS MUSGRAVE (1812–1866), painter, born in 1812 at Boughton-Monchelsea, Kent, was the only son of Thomas Joy, a landed proprietor there. He was allowed to indulge an early predilection for art, and was sent to London to study under Samuel Drummond, A.R.A. [q. v.] In 1831 he exhibited at the Royal Academy for the first time. In the following year he exhibited at the Society of British Artists, and subsequently up to his death was a frequent contributor to its exhibitions and to the British Institution. He was patronised by Lord Panmure, who placed John Phillip [q. v.] with him as a pupil. In 1841 he was commissioned by the queen to paint portraits of the Prince and Princess of Wales. He was best known for his subject pictures, such as ‘Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme,’ ‘A Medical Consultation,’ or ‘Prayer.’ He also painted some successful portraits, notably those of Sir Charles Napier and the Duke of Cambridge. In 1864 he painted a picture of the 'Meeting of the Subscribers to Tattersall's before the Races,' which contained portraits of the most noted patrons of the turf. Joy died of bronchitis on 7 April 1866, aged 63. In 1839 he married Eliza Rohde, daughter of Charles Spratt of Salisbury; he left two daughters.

[Art Journal, 1866, p. 240; Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Graves's Dict. of Artists, 1760–1880.]

L. C.