Stanfield, George Clarkson (1793-1867)
The son of an actor, Stanfield began his artistic career painting stage scenery and continued in the Navy where he painted scenery for amateur theatrical productions. After service, he worked in the theater, becoming the foremost theatrical artist of his time. In addition to his theatrical work, he exhibited paintings at the Royal Academy and became increasingly recognized as an oil painter of some distinction – Ruskin considered him a rival to Turner. Stanfield gave up his theater work in 1835 and traveled extensively in Euope, often painting coastal landscapes in France and Holland.