Samuel Howett

Samuel Howett was an artist active during the late eighteenth century, documenting work between 1755 and 1785. The majority of his documented output focuses on drawings and illustration related to wildlife, hunting, and dramatic narrative scenes typical of the period.

Howett’s representation in collections consists of ten documented works: nine drawings and one painting. These pieces are dedicated heavily to sporting subjects and natural history illustration, including the detailed drawing Killing Seals in a Cavern by Torchlight (recto); Sketch of Hunters and Board (verso), and the narrative piece Dr. Sparman's Story of the Hottentot and the Lion. Other known works include Fox Stealing a Cock, Hunter with Retriever, and the genre scene Fox Hunt. Works by Samuel Howett are preserved in the distinguished collections of the Art Institute of Chicago.

The verifiable documentation of Samuel Howett paintings and drawings provides insight into 18th-century illustration techniques. As works from this period often enter the public domain, they are frequently reproduced for study and display. Today, select images of Samuel Howett’s artwork are available as high-quality prints through institutional archives.