Sir Charles Lock Eastlake was a British painter, writer, and influential art administrator who played a major role in developing England’s national art collection. He became the first director of the National Gallery. and served as President of the Royal Academy, representing the conservative Victorian art establishment in contrast to critics like John Ruskin.
Born in Plymouth, Eastlake trained in London under Samuel Prout and Benjamin Haydon, studying at the Royal Academy. His early success painting Napoleon funded extensive travels across Europe. After some brief trips to France, Eastlake went to Rome in 1816, where he stayed for the following 14 years, studying Old Masters and building important artistic connections. Eastlake’s friendships with European artists, philosophers and writers influenced his own artistic practice and theories of art. Eastlake formed a close friendship with both J.M.W. Turner and Sir Thomas Lawrence.
In 1849 he married art historian Elizabeth Rigby, forming a strong writing partnership. Knighted in 1850, and elected President of the Royal Academy in the same year, Eastlake became a leading authority on British art and taste. In 1855, Eastlake was appointed to direct the National Gallery, a role he fulfilled until his death.
Eastlake became an Honorary Member of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1858.
