George John Pinwell (1842-1875) lost his father when he was eleven years old, so he had to work from the youngest age (his younger brothers too) to help survive the rest of the family. Among different odd jobs, he became a designer at a company of embroiders. He proved very good at that and joined the evening art school (St. Martin's Lane Academy) to improve his skills. This is where he met his future wife Isabella Marcy Stevens.
Both portraits of George John Pinwell by John Hubbard
When his mother remarried he focused on artistic creation only. He developed a specific style as a watercolor painter who was trained as an illustrator on wood blocks. Together with Arthur Boyd Houghton and Frederick Walker, he belonged to the so-called Idyllic School (after the book Idyllic Pictures) or Idealists. He worked for numerous magazines but his earnings were poor.
He also collaborated on several illustrated books like The Arabian Night Entertainment.
George J. Pinwell was praised for his imagination, lyrical sense, and knowledge of design but some lack of skills. His decorative knowledge is best seen in the Book Goldsmith by Denziel Brothers.
When he died, a posthumous exhibition of his sketches and unsold works was held at Deschamp's Gallery in London and sold at Christie's for the benefit of his widow. He had several health issues and tried to improve his health by spending winter months in North Africa but passed from constipation before his 33rd birthday.
Among his most successful works were paintings of scenes from the Pied Piper of Hamelin, presented below.
Pied Piper of Hamelin: Rats by George J. Pinwell
You can compare his paintings with illustrations by his contemporary Hugh Thompson who illustrated the prose version of Pied Piper, a Fantastic Opera in Two Acts.
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