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Who was Sir James Thornhill and how did he influence William Hogarth?

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The Painter and His Pug, self-portrait by William Hogarth, oil on canvas, 1745; in the Tate Gallery, London. — William Hogarth *The Painter and His Pug*, self-portrait by William Hogarth, oil on canvas, 1745; in the Tate Gallery, London.

Sir James Thornhill (1675–1734) was a prominent English painter and the first English-born artist to be knighted. He served as sergeant painter to King George I and King George II and was celebrated for his large-scale historical paintings, including the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Painted Hall at Greenwich Hospital.12

Thornhill significantly influenced William Hogarth both professionally and personally:

Artistic Inspiration: Hogarth long admired Thornhill’s fluent adaptation of the late Baroque style. In 1724, Hogarth joined a drawing school opened in Thornhill’s house, marking the beginning of a critical association.2
Professional Validation: Thornhill served as a mentor and ally. He provided professional testimony in a 1728 lawsuit Hogarth brought against a client, helping the younger artist secure public vindication. Additionally, Hogarth assisted Thornhill on a group portrait of the House of Commons.21
Personal Connection: The relationship deepened when Hogarth eloped with Thornhill’s daughter, Jane, in 1729.3
Ideological Alignment: Thornhill’s career, which affirmed the vitality of native English art and the social respectability of the artist, deeply resonated with Hogarth’s own passionate beliefs regarding the role of art in society.2