John Middleton with his Family in his Drawing Room

This painting is a portrait of the artists’ colourman, John Middleton, sitting at home with his family. His housekeeper is to the left and to the right are his children Jesse, Anna, Sarah and Joshua. Jesse, the eldest son, took over his father's business when the latter died in 1818.

Middleton was one of London's most successful colourmen. Although colourmen primarily manufactured and sold paint, Middleton even diversified into the wallpaper trade. His business was situated at 80-81 St Martin's Lane, a hub of London's artistic community. He sold paint to a number of well known artists of the time, including Benjamin West and Thomas Lawrence. The room in which he and his family are posing was probably above his shop. The paint would also have been prepared onsite, probably in a workshop at the back of the building.

Informal portraits, or conversation pieces, such as this were popular status symbols in the 18th century. However, it is unusual for somebody like Middleton to have been depicted in this way. Although the artist is unknown, it may be that the portrait was made as payment for artist’s materials.