John Clevely

John Clevely was an artist active for five decades during the mid-eighteenth century, with his documented career spanning the years 1722 to 1772. His known output focuses predominantly on highly detailed drawings that capture dramatic geological formations and expeditionary landscapes.

The works represented in museum collections indicate a strong interest in topographical subjects related to natural history and exploratory documentation. Key documented works focus on sites of significant natural wonder, including multiple depictions of the Giant's Causeway, the sea cave Fingal's Cave, and specific views from the North Atlantic, such as Geyser, Iceland and Expedition Party in Icelandic Landscape.

Six of John Clevely’s drawings are represented in permanent museum collections, establishing his legacy as a skilled observational artist of the period. His work is included in the holdings of the Art Institute of Chicago. While historical documentation often includes John Clevely prints and paintings, his surviving database legacy is built upon these detailed topographical drawings. Because of the age of these works, many fall into the public domain, making them available for study. These historical illustrations are often reproduced today as high-quality prints, offering viewers access to museum-quality eighteenth-century artistic documentation.