(1816 - 1875)
James Francis Danby was born in Bristol; the son of landscape artist Francis Danby. His father’s mistress lived with the Danbys as a governess to the children. In 1830 James’s mother, Hannah, moved in with painter Paul Falconer Poole and the remaining family moved to Bruges to escape creditors. By August 1832 they were living in poverty in Geneva. Francis moved the family to Paris in 1836. James had returned to England by 1839. He married Sophia Elizabeth Carter in 1841 and the couple had eight children. Danby exhibited at the Royal Academy, British Institution and the Society of British Artists (1842-75). He died aged 59, at his home in Hampstead. 150 paintings and oil sketches by the artist were sold at his studio sale the following year.
