John Evan Hodgson, R.A.

John Evan Hodgson joined the Royal Academy schools in 1853 after returning from Russia, where he worked for his merchant father. According to the Magazine of Art published in 1895, the change in Hodgson’s career was due to his reading of John Ruskin’s Modern Painters. Hodgson painted domestic, contemporary and historical themes however a visit to Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco in 1868 greatly influenced his choice of subject, reflected in his Royal Academy exhibits. For example in 1872 he exhibited The Snake Charmer, in 1875 A Barber’s Shop in Tunis and in the same year he was elected an associate member he showed the present work.

Hodgson was also celebrated for his literary knowledge and was appointed Librarian and Professor of Painting at the academy in 1882. He also made joint contributions to the Art Journal on the history of the Royal Academy.