Thomas Walker and Peter Monamy c. 1735

Gawen Hamilton painted Thomas Walker and Peter Monamy in the first half of the 18th century, using oil on canvas. This double portrait of two artists offers a fascinating glimpse into the social dynamics of the art world in England at that time. In this painting, Walker, the patron, stands to the left, elegantly posed with a cane, while Monamy, the painter, is captured in the act of creation. The painting within the painting is a marine scene, a popular genre at the time, reflecting Britain's maritime power and commercial interests. The arrangement suggests a hierarchy, but it also hints at the collaborative relationship between artist and patron. During this period, institutions like the Royal Academy were beginning to shape artistic tastes and careers. Patrons played a crucial role in supporting artists, but also in influencing the kind of art that was produced. By researching the lives of these individuals, their social networks, and the art market of the time, we can understand how art was not just a matter of individual talent, but also a product of social and institutional forces.