Lovers under a Tree

1829–1838

A childhood on Jersey and in Dinan

Born in Southampton into a prominent Jersey-based family, he spent most of his early childhood on Jersey, to which he stayed devoted all his life, and the family lived for a few years in Dinan in Brittany. The strongest influence was his forceful mother, Emily Mary, who loved art and music and encouraged her son’s artistic bent; he later said he owed everything to her.

1838

The family moves to London for the sake of his talent

He began to learn drawing at the age of nine, and in 1838, when his ability became evident, the family moved to London; his mother had promoted the move to help him make contacts at the Royal Academy.

December 1840

The youngest student in the Royal Academy’s history

In December 1840, at the age of eleven, he entered the Royal Academy Schools, the youngest student ever admitted, and studied there for six years.