Morland, George (1763-1804), was an English painter who became popular for his idealized rural scenes. Morland primarily painted pictures of middle-class and lower-class life in English villages, especially taverns and stables. Examples of Morland’s work include The Angler’s Repast (1789) and The Interior of a Stable (1791). Many of his pictures were engraved and published, increasing his popularity.
Morland was born on June 26, 1763, in London. He was instructed by his father, the painter Henry Morland, and was greatly influenced by his studies of the Flemish and Dutch masters. Morland was a child prodigy and exhibited several chalk drawings at the Royal Academy at the age of 10. Morland led a careless personal life and was often in debt. He also suffered from chronic alcoholism, which hastened his death on Oct. 29, 1804.
