John William Hill (Born 1812) was born in London. He was a topographical and landscape painter who was the son of John R. Hill, an aquatint engraver. Being born into an artistic family led to his strong passion for the arts. In 1819, his family immigrated to America where they initially settled in Philadelphia, then moved to New York City in 1822. While in New York City, the young artist started his career as an apprentice to his father. At the beginning of his career, Hill was employed by the NY State Geological Survey as a topographical artist. Later, he was employed by Smith Brothers of NYC, for whom he painted views of many American cities in watercolor to be published as lithographs. At the age of 43, he came under the influence of Ruskin John's Modern Painters. This is when he began working in the new Pre-Raphaelite style.
As style of which he would be considered the leading force in America. The artist executed detailed images directly from nature. He made sketches of animals and birds’ nests, and also closely observed paintings of landscapes, gardens, and wildflowers executed in a technique that involves the use of numerous small specks or dots. Between 1829 and 1879, the artist exhibited widely at the National Academy of Design, and between 1862 and 1884, he exhibited extensively at the Brooklyn Art Association. Hill died in 1879 at his home near West Nyack, NY. His works can be found in prestigious institutions and collections including the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, Illinois and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusetts.
