English landscape painter known for his portrayals of Cumbria, Cumberland and Westmoreland. Born in Penrith, Cumberland, Thompson was the eldest son of Merrick Thompson, a linen manufacturer affected by the economic downturn following the War of 1812. Despite family opposition, Thompson pursued his passion for art while apprenticed to a house-painter. His dedication eventually drew the attention of Lord Lonsdale, who helped him move to London in 1829, where he studied at the British Museum and Royal Academy. He began exhibiting his work in 1824 with landscapes and portraits, later showing at the Royal Academy. His works include “The Druids Cutting Down the Mistletoe” (1832), “The Highland Bride” (1851), and “Crossing a Highland Loch” (1858). He frequently painted scenes inspired by rural and Highland life, with engravings of his work helping to popularize his art.
In later years, Thompson focused on landscapes from the lakes and mountains of Cumberland, Westmoreland, and occasionally Scotland. His themes, while visually detailed, were sometimes criticized for lacking poetic depth. His last painting was titled “Eldmuir, or Solitude.”
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