John Vanderbank

John Vanderbank the younger was born in London, September 9, 1694 and died in London, December 23, 1739.

In his early twenties, Vanderbank distinguished himself as a portraitist and painter of historical subjects. He probably first studied with his father, a well-to-do tapestry weaver of Dutch origin, and continued his studies at Godfrey Kneller's academy from 1711. In 1720, in partnership with Louis Chéron, Vanderbank established a class for drawing from the live model in St. Martin's Lane. According to George Vertue, Vanderbank might have become the most important painter in London following the death of Kneller, had his extravagant lifestyle not led to financial troubles. In 1724, he fled to France to avoid his creditors. However, on his return to London several months later he was sent to debtor's prison until he cleared his debts in 1729.