Choose a mood and the room itself answers — the light cools or warms, the air changes pace, and only the works that carry that feeling step forward from the dark. Everything else recedes into shadow.
Early Life and Background Born: December 29, 1759, at Farnley Moor, Leeds, United Kingdom Died: October 13, 1817, Masham, Yorkshire, United Kingdom Parents: Richard Ibbetson (clothier from Yorkshire) and Rebecca Mortimer. Unique Name Origin: Received the name "Julius Caesar" due to his birth via Caesarean section, a rare procedure at the time. He attempted to conceal this fact throughout his life. Early Education: Attended lo
cal Moravian community schools and Quaker schools in Leeds, receiving an unusually thorough education for the period. Apprenticeship: Served as an apprentice to John Fletcher, a ship painter in Hull, from 1772 to 1777. This early experience provided foundational skills despite his artistic aspirations. Artistic Development and Key Works Early Career (London): Moved to London around 1780, initially working as a picture restorer b…
