Rome 1816 to 1830
In 1815, Eastlake enjoyed his first success as an artist when he exhibited a painting depicting Napoleon on the Bellerophon, when the ship was moored off Plymouth Sound just before the former French Emperor was exiled to St Helena.
Proceeds from the sale of a second, larger version of this work combined with the patronage of banker Jeremiah Harman gave him the means to travel abroad. His first study trip was to Paris, where he studied works at the Louvre (known then as the Musée Napoleon).
The following year, in 1816, he travelled to Rome where he then stayed for 14 years, only briefly returning to Plymouth in 1820 when his father passed away and to visit his brothers in 1828.
During this time he mainly painted oil sketches outdoors. He became friends with other artists who visited him at his studio at the Spanish Steps, including British artists Sir Thomas Lawrence and JMW Turner whom he had first encountered at the Royal Academy in 1811. He also travelled to places such as Naples and Athens.
Despite being based in Europe, Eastlake regularly sent works back to London for exhibition. In 1827 he was elected as an Associate Member of the Royal Academy. Three years later he was made a full member and returned to England permanently.
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| Jacob van Ruisdael, A Waterfall in a Rocky Landscape, probably 1660 to 1670 © The National Gallery, London |