John Nixon (British c. 1750-1818) A sketchbook containing thirty-five landscapes depicting life in England between 1795-1815 mostly pen and ink and watercolour, one pencil, all loosely bound in a suede album 18 by 32.5 cm.; 7¼ by 12¾ in. EXHIBITED John Nixon (c.1750-1818), Cyril Fry Gallery, 44 High Street, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, 1999 The present sketchbook containing watercolours and drawings by John Nixon date from 1795-1815. They depict aspects of life in England at the time. Nixon was born in Belfast in the 1750's and came to Basinghall Street in London as a successful and wealthy merchant. He was also a gifted artist who exhibited thirty nine pictures at the Royal Academy from 1781-1815. He was a close friend of Thomas Rowlandson whose style his work closely resembles but without recourse to caricature. His appointment as the Hon. Secretary and Providore of teh Beefsteak Club, in London, brought him into the social scene. John was a bachelor, as was his brother Richard, both of whom entertained with lively routs held in their warehouse in London. John was an enthusiastic amateur actor and took part in many performances in the private theatre at Brandenburg House, Hammersmith; the home of the Margave and Margravina (formerly Lady Craven) of Anspach, where he was considered a star turn according to Henry Angelo the fencing master.