John Evan Hodgson: A Painter of Worlds John Evan Hodgson (1831-1895) wasn’t merely a painter; he was an explorer of human experience, meticulously capturing the nuances of domestic life, historical drama, and the exotic allure of North Africa. Born in Camberwell, London, into a family steeped in mercantile success – his father a prominent figure in Newcastle’s trade – Hodgson initially seemed destined for a career in commerce. However, a youthful fascination with the Old Masters at St. Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum ignited a passion for art that irrevocably altered his course. This early ex…