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Thomas Barker - His Tour of Spain and Italy

This early success enabled the young painter to realise an ambition and embark on a Grand Tour and continue his study of classical art in Italy.

In that same spring of 1790 he took ship from Bristol and, avoiding, France, then in the throes of the Revolution, landed first in Barcelona, where a week or so was spent in study and exploration before leaving Spain for Italy. As companions he had his dog, Amor, and an engraver friend, Charles Hibbert.

After landing in Italy, at Leghorn, they travelled on to Florence where they stayed several months visiting palaces - the Pitti being a particular favourite - before proceeding to Rome. Here, as well as copying Old Masters, much time was spent sketching from nature. When forced inside by an attack of sun-stroke, he studied frescoes. Whilst in Rome, Thomas struck up a friendship with English artist John Flaxman, which continued until the latter's death in 1826.

In the spring of 1793 Barker visited Pompeii, Herculaneum and Naples, where he met the talented British Ambassador Sir William Hamilton and his wife Emma ( described in a letter from Barker to Spackman as 'a very accomplished lady') whose relationship with Admiral Lord Nelson, which started during his stay in Naples, was to become famous a few years later.

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