Thomas Hudson (painter)

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Thomas Hudson (1701 - 1779) was an English portrait painter in the eighteenth century. He was born in 1701 somewhere in the West Country of the United Kingdom. Hudson studied under Jonathan Richardson in London and married Richardson's daughter at some point before 1725 against his wishes. Hudson was most prolific between 1740 and 1760 and from 1745 until 1755 was the most successful London portraitist. He lived at Deep Cross, Twickenham. Hudson employed many assistants to help with his paintings, and retired towards the end of the 1750s. Joshua Reynolds was a student of Hudson's. Hudson died in 1779 in Twickenham. His extensive private art collection was sold off in three separate sales.

Many of Hudson's works can be seen in UK art galleries. These include the National Portrait Gallery, the National Maritime Museum, the Tate Gallery, and the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery.