February 11, 1841

John Trivett Nettleship (February 11, 1841 to August 31 1902) was an English artist, with some renown for his paintings of wild animals. His father was a solicitor but the son dropped out of that career path to study at the Slade. Why wild animals? That question is addressed below, in a quote from a biography.

Nettleship... strove to create and was widely praised for naturalist depictions of
wild animals. Lions, polar bears, tigers, pumas, leopards – these were the usual subjects
of his best-known works, many of which were exhibited at the Royal Academy, the
Grosvenor Gallery, Burlington House, the New Gallery, and other London venues.
Nettleship’s interest in wild animals in their natural (sometimes violent) states, rather
than domesticated creatures such as cats and dogs, has been attributed to his
admiration for vigorous physical activity. In addition to his artistic pursuits, Nettleship
boxed, hiked long distances, and even trained barefoot before embarking on a
mountaineering expedition in the Alps.

His work is good, though it is possible he sentimentalizes ferocity.  Like here:




One of Nettleship's daughters, Ida,  also attended the Slade School of Fine Art. She would marry Augustus John.