John Downman

John Downman was an artist active during the majority of the eighteenth century, with documented production spanning 1700 to 1770. His known body of work consists predominantly of drawings and studies, suggesting a specialization in refined draftsmanship.

His continued representation in major American institutions establishes his historical significance. Fifteen drawings are documented across collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Cleveland Museum of Art. These works demonstrate an interest in formal portraiture and classical study.

Notable pieces held in these collections reflect this dual focus, including the preparatory study Ancient Statue of Standing Female Figure and the historical record Bearded Man and Boy (from Bas-Relief). His skill in rendering intimate likenesses is evident in works such as Seated Young Lady Facing Right, Young Woman in Profile with Ribbon in Her Hair, and the specific documentation piece, Memento Portrait of a Young Midshipman. Today, many of these John Downman prints are preserved to a museum-quality standard, with historical images often available as downloadable artwork for scholarly and general appreciation.