George Théodore Berthon
(1806 - 1892)

George Berthon Biography
(1806 - 1892)

Born in Vienna, Austria, his father was Rene Théodore Berthon, artist at the Court of Napoleon who studied under the noted master David. George Berthon showed an early ability for painting portraits and studied in several capitals in Europe. He spent 14 years in England and while there he taught the daughter of Sir Robert Peel. He came to Canada in 1841, opened a studio in Toronto and became ver successful as a portrait painter. He exhibited at the Toronto Society of Arts with Paul Kane, Cornelius Kreighoff, and J.G. Howard. A large number of his portraits may be seen at Osgoode Hall, Toronto; and some at Trinity College, University of Toronto. In 1876 on of his canvases as sent to Philadelphia by the Ontario Government and took the Continental Gold Medal. In 1880 he was nominated a member of the Royal Canadian Academy by failed to qualify for this honour until after his death. He also did many portraits which were copies. His portrait os Sir John Beverley Robinson is thought to be his masterpiece. At his death he was the oldest member of the Ontario Society of Artists. He died in Toronto and was buried there in St. Michael's Cemetery. One of the most important exhibitions of his work was held in 1934 at the Art Gallery of Toronto. He also painted a number of landscapes.

Source: "A Dictionary of Canadian Artists, Volume I: A-F", compiled by Colin S. MacDonald, Canadian Paperbacks Publishing Ltd, Ottawa, 1977