Topics > People in History > James Wilson Carmichael (1800 - 1868)
James Wilson Carmichael (1800 - 1868)
James (aka John) Wilson Carmichael was a noted marine painter. He was born in Ouseburn, Newcastle on the 9th of June, 1800, son to William Carmichael, a ship's carpenter. He went to sea at an early age, and after completing a shipbuilding apprenticeship, he devoted all his spare time to art, and eventually took it up professionally. He lived in Newcastle during it's redevelopment and was friends with the architect John Dobson, with whom he produced some joint works, including designs for the Central Station and the Grainger Market, which Dobson drew and Carmichael painted. He also collaborated with John Blackmore to produce an illustrated book: 'Views on the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway' in 1836. In 1845 he moved to London and went on to publish 'The Art of Marine Painting in Water-Colours' in 1859, and 'The Art of Marine Painting in Oil Colours' in 1864. In his later life later Carmichael moved to Scarborough, where he died in 1868. A portrait of J.W. Carmichael can be seen at South Shields Museum and Gallery and some of his works are at the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle and at Sunderland Museum.
James John Wilson Carmichael (9 June 1800 – 1868), also known as John Carmichael was a British marine painter.
Life
Carmichael was born at the Ouseburn, in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, on 9 June 1800, the son of William Carmichael, a ship's carpenter. He went to sea at an early age, and spent three years on board a vessel sailing between ports in Spain and Portugal. On his return, he was apprenticed to a shipbuilding firm. After completing his apprenticeship, he devoted all his spare time to art, and eventually gave up the carpentry business, setting himself up as a drawing-master and miniature painter. His first historical painting to attract public notice was the Fight Between the Shannon and Chesapeake, which sold for 13 guineas (£13.65). He then painted The Bombardment of Algiers for Trinity House, Newcastle, for which he received 40 guineas; it is still at Trinity House, along with The Heroic Exploits of Admiral Lord Collingwood in HMS "Excellent" at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, painted in collaboration with George Balmer. Another important early commission was for a View of Newcastle for which the city corporation paid him 100 guineas.
His name first appears as an exhibitor in 1838, when he contributed an oil painting, Shipping in the Bay of Naples, to the Society of British Artists. He showed both oil paintings and watercolours at the Royal Academy, his contributions including The Conqueror towing the Africa off the Shoals of Trafalgar (1841) and The Arrival of the Royal Squadron (1843).
He lived in Newcastle until about 1845, when he moved to London, where he was already known as a skilful marine painter. In 1855, during the Crimean War he was sent to the Baltic to make drawings for The Illustrated London News. His painting of the bombardment of Sveaborg, which he witnessed during this assignment, was exhibited at the Royal Academy and is now in the collection of the National Maritime Museum.
He later moved to Scarborough, where he died in 1868.
He published The Art of Marine Painting in Water-Colours in 1859, and The Art of Marine Painting in Oil-Colours in 1864.
His daughter Annie married William Luson Thomas son of a shipbroker and a successful artist who, exasperated by the treatment of artists by the Illustrated London News, founded in 1869 The Graphic newspaper which had immense influence within the art world.
Visit the page: James Wilson Carmichael for references and further details. You can contribute to this article on Wikipedia.
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
Portrait of John Wilson Carmichael by Thomas Ellerby, 1839 (South Shields Museum & Art Gallery)
- "Portrait of John Wilson Carmichael Marine Painter Newcastle upon Tyne painted by Ellerby A. D. 1839". Public Domain image c/o Wikimedia Commons
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
011250:Cottages at Dents Hole Byker Carmichael J.W. Lambert
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
048878:All Saints Church Newcastle upon Tyne Carmichael J.W. 1842
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
013064:A view of Newcastle upon Tyne, Carmichael J.W. Lambert
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
014150:Scotswood Railway Bridge Newcastle upon Tyne Carmichael J.W.
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
John Wilson Carmichael A View of Murton Colliery near Seaham, County Durham, 1843
- "This is a faithful photographic reproduction of a two-dimensional, public domain work of art. The work of art itself is in the public domain for the following reason:
Public domain …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
006269:A view of Newcastle upon Tyne Carmichael J.W. Collard W. 1841
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
025345:Grey Street Central Newcastle Upon Tyne Carmichael J.W. c.1840
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
015424b:Benwell Tower Benwell Lane Benwell Knowles W.H.
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
018559:Ascension Day Procession Newcastle upon Tyne Carmichael J.W. c.1832
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
003959:Grey Street Newcastle upon Tyne Collard after Carmichael J.W. 1840
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
054125:Ouseburn Viaduct Newcastle upon Tyne J. W. Carmichael early 1840s
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
053624:Tyne Bridge and High Level Bridge Newcastle upon Tyne Carmichael J.W. Undated
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
  Co-Curate Page
Laing Art Gallery
- Overview About the Laing Map Street View The gallery is free to enter and is located on a pedestrianised section of New Bridge Street by its junction with John Dobson …
  Co-Curate Page
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
- About the Museum Map Street View "The museum is spread over two floors telling the story of the borough's social, industrial and maritime history from 4,000 years ago to the …
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
Cullercoats from the South by John Wilson Carmichael
- Public Domain image c/o Wikipedia Commons.
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
HMS Erebus and Terror in the Antarctic by John Wilson Carmichael
- Public Domain image c/o Wikimedia Commons. See the painting at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
The Bombardment of Sveaborg, 9 August 1855 by John Wilson Carmichael
- Public Domain image c/o Wikimedia Commons. See the painting at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London.
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
Prior's Haven, Tynemouth, 1845 by John Wilson Carmichael
- Public Domain Image c/o Wikimedia Commons.
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
Kiel from the harbour by J. W. Carmichael (1855)
- Public Domain image c/o Wikimedia Commons
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
John Wilson Carmichael - Corby Viaduct, the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway
- Public Domain image c/o Wikimedia Commons,
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
The Channel fleet in heavy weather, by John Wilson Carmichael, 1852
- Public Domain image c/o Wikimedia Commons.
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
Tynemouth Priory from the East, 1845 by John Wilson Carmichael
- Public Domain image c/o Wikimedia Commons.
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
Haydon Bridge
- Engraved by J.W. Archer based on drawing by J.W. Carmichael.
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://archive.org/details/a…
The art of marine painting in water-colours [Digitised Book]
- The art of marine painting in water-colours
by Carmichael, J. W. (John Wilson), 1799-1868
Publication date 1885
Topics Marine painting, Watercolor painting
Publisher London : Winsor and Newton
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
023255:Gateshead from Moot Hall Newcastle Carmichael J. W. c.1835
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Flickr (flickr)
The Newcastle Ships "Lord Gambier", "Lady Jane" and "GrenvilleBay" Whaling in Company in the Arctic
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
015424a:Benwell Tower Benwell Lane Benwell Knowles W.H.
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Flickr (flickr)
Interior of Grainger Market, about 1835 by John Wilson Carmichael and John Dobson - Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Flickr (flickr)
Central Station by John Dobson alterd design 1849 - 1850
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from https://archive.org/details/v…
Views on the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway, 1836 [Digitised book]
- Views on the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway
by Blackmore, John; Carmichael, James Wilson
Publication date 1836
Topics Newcastle and Carlisle Railway, Railroads -- Great Britain
Publisher [Newcastle, Tyne ; Wear] …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://archive.org/details/m…
Marine and landscape painting in oil [digitised book]
- Marine and landscape painting in oil (revised American edition)
by Carmichael, J. W., 1800-1868
Publication date 1880
Topics Marine painting, Landscape painting
Publisher New York : J. Haney
Added by
Simon Cotterill
  Co-Curate Page
Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens
- Overview About the Museum Map The Sunderland Museum was established in 1846, and was the first municipally-funded museum in Britain outside of London. The museum was originally located in the …
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
Portrait of John Wilson Carmichael by Thomas Ellerby, 1839 (South Shields Museum & Art Gallery)
- "Portrait of John Wilson Carmichael Marine Painter Newcastle upon Tyne painted by Ellerby A. D. 1839". Public Domain image c/o Wikimedia Commons
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
011250:Cottages at Dents Hole Byker Carmichael J.W. Lambert
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
048878:All Saints Church Newcastle upon Tyne Carmichael J.W. 1842
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
013064:A view of Newcastle upon Tyne, Carmichael J.W. Lambert
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
014150:Scotswood Railway Bridge Newcastle upon Tyne Carmichael J.W.
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
John Wilson Carmichael A View of Murton Colliery near Seaham, County Durham, 1843
- "This is a faithful photographic reproduction of a two-dimensional, public domain work of art. The work of art itself is in the public domain for the following reason:
Public domain …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
006269:A view of Newcastle upon Tyne Carmichael J.W. Collard W. 1841
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
025345:Grey Street Central Newcastle Upon Tyne Carmichael J.W. c.1840
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
015424b:Benwell Tower Benwell Lane Benwell Knowles W.H.
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
018559:Ascension Day Procession Newcastle upon Tyne Carmichael J.W. c.1832
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
003959:Grey Street Newcastle upon Tyne Collard after Carmichael J.W. 1840
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
054125:Ouseburn Viaduct Newcastle upon Tyne J. W. Carmichael early 1840s
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
053624:Tyne Bridge and High Level Bridge Newcastle upon Tyne Carmichael J.W. Undated
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
  Co-Curate Page
Laing Art Gallery
- Overview About the Laing Map Street View The gallery is free to enter and is located on a pedestrianised section of New Bridge Street by its junction with John Dobson …
  Co-Curate Page
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
- About the Museum Map Street View "The museum is spread over two floors telling the story of the borough's social, industrial and maritime history from 4,000 years ago to the …
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
Cullercoats from the South by John Wilson Carmichael
- Public Domain image c/o Wikipedia Commons.
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
HMS Erebus and Terror in the Antarctic by John Wilson Carmichael
- Public Domain image c/o Wikimedia Commons. See the painting at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
The Bombardment of Sveaborg, 9 August 1855 by John Wilson Carmichael
- Public Domain image c/o Wikimedia Commons. See the painting at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London.
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
Prior's Haven, Tynemouth, 1845 by John Wilson Carmichael
- Public Domain Image c/o Wikimedia Commons.
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
Kiel from the harbour by J. W. Carmichael (1855)
- Public Domain image c/o Wikimedia Commons
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
John Wilson Carmichael - Corby Viaduct, the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway
- Public Domain image c/o Wikimedia Commons,
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
The Channel fleet in heavy weather, by John Wilson Carmichael, 1852
- Public Domain image c/o Wikimedia Commons.
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
Tynemouth Priory from the East, 1845 by John Wilson Carmichael
- Public Domain image c/o Wikimedia Commons.
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://commons.wikimedia.org…
Haydon Bridge
- Engraved by J.W. Archer based on drawing by J.W. Carmichael.
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://archive.org/details/a…
The art of marine painting in water-colours [Digitised Book]
- The art of marine painting in water-colours
by Carmichael, J. W. (John Wilson), 1799-1868
Publication date 1885
Topics Marine painting, Watercolor painting
Publisher London : Winsor and Newton
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
023255:Gateshead from Moot Hall Newcastle Carmichael J. W. c.1835
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Flickr (flickr)
The Newcastle Ships "Lord Gambier", "Lady Jane" and "GrenvilleBay" Whaling in Company in the Arctic
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
015424a:Benwell Tower Benwell Lane Benwell Knowles W.H.
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Flickr (flickr)
Interior of Grainger Market, about 1835 by John Wilson Carmichael and John Dobson - Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Flickr (flickr)
Central Station by John Dobson alterd design 1849 - 1850
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from https://archive.org/details/v…
Views on the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway, 1836 [Digitised book]
- Views on the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway
by Blackmore, John; Carmichael, James Wilson
Publication date 1836
Topics Newcastle and Carlisle Railway, Railroads -- Great Britain
Publisher [Newcastle, Tyne ; Wear] …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://archive.org/details/m…
Marine and landscape painting in oil [digitised book]
- Marine and landscape painting in oil (revised American edition)
by Carmichael, J. W., 1800-1868
Publication date 1880
Topics Marine painting, Landscape painting
Publisher New York : J. Haney
Added by
Simon Cotterill