Thomas Hartley Cromek (1809-1873)

On August 1842 Cromek noted in his journal 'I also made a series of large and very careful studies of the principal ruins in and near the Forum, two of the Arch of Titus, House of Rienzi, Jupiter Sartor...etc. Dreadfully hot work it was sketching!' (T. Cromek, Reminiscences at Home and Abroad 1812-1855).

Robert Henry Cheney (1801-1866) was the eldest of five children; Edward (1803-1884) and Harriet (1810-1852) were also artists. Huon Mallalieu mentions 'Mr. Cheney of Badger, Shropshire' as a pupil of Peter De Wint, O.W.S. (1784-1849), and we also know from Edward's journals that Henry travelled extensively in Italy with Cromek, whose influence can be seen in his work. A Collection of watercolours by R.H. Cheney was sold Christie's, South Kensington, 12 October 2005.