Sir James Thornhill

Sir James Thornhill (1675–1734) was an influential English painter known for his significant contributions to the art of ceiling decoration in the Baroque style. He gained fame for his large-scale murals, including the famous ceiling of the Great Hall in the Banqueting House at Whitehall, London. Thornhill was one of the first English artists to achieve widespread recognition and was appointed as the first official History Painter to King George I. His work combined classical themes with a dramatic style, helping to establish a distinct English tradition in mural painting during the early 18th century.