Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Baynes, James

by Ernest Radford

BAYNES, JAMES (1766–1837), water-colour painter, was born at Kirkby Lonsdale in April 1766. He was a pupil of Romney, and a student at the Royal Academy. During the time of his education he received assistance from a friend, who, however, suspended his payments upon Baynes's marriage, and the artist was thrown upon his own resources. He was employed by a firm which proposed to print copies in oil of the old masters. Unfortunately for Baynes, this company failed. He taught drawing, and exhibited constantly at the Academy from 1796 till his death. His scenery was chosen in Norfolk, North Wales, Cumberland, and Kent. His landscape was sometimes enlivened with figures and cattle.

[Redgrave's Dictionary of Painters of the English School.]

E. R.