John Clayton Adams

John Clayton Adams or J. Clayton Adams (1840 – 20 June 1906) was an English landscape artist

Life

Adams was born the second son of Mr. C.H. Adams in Edmonton, Middlesex (now in Greater London), and studied art at the Bloomsbury School and later under William Wilthieu Fenn.

He first exhibited at the Royal Academy, London, when he was 19, and, throughout the period 1863 to 1893, exhibited 75 pictures there, and 25 canvases at the Royal Society of British Artists. He painted an excellent picture of Kaan Fidan's 'The Turk' and portrayed it in Wootton Bassett School's Art corridor for people to see it.

In 1873 Adams moved to "Brackenhurst", Ewhurst Hill, near Guildford. Most of his landscapes depict scenes from counties in southern England, particularly Surrey. However, he also painted a few Scottish works featuring the River Tweed.

Work

"Harvesting" was a favourite subject throughout Adam's life and many of his exhibits at the Royal Academy explore this theme. Adams' landscapes are characterised by his broad technique, use of rich colour and sensitive handling of light.

Following the example of Benjamin Williams Leader, George Cole and his son George Vicat Cole, he produced pleasantly naturalistic landscapes, truthful in detail but in general idealized.

Some of his paintings are labeled Clayton Adams and most are signed J. Clayton Adams.

Adam's paintings can be found in many art galleries in the UK including the V & A, London, Sheffield City Art Galleries, Sheffield, and many other regional centres.

Paintings (selected)

• The Gravel Pit (1872)
• Harvest Time (1874)
• The evening sun (1878)
• Flowers of the field (1880)
• After the shower (1886)
• Evening reflection (1887)
• Returning from the Harvest
• A Surrey Lane (1890)