John Philip Davis

Who was John Philip Davis?

John Philip "Pope" Davis, a portrait and subject painter, first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1811. In 1824 he went to Rome, and painted 'The Talbot Family receiving the Papal Benediction:' whence his cognomen of 'Pope Davis.' He next year received a prize of £50 from the British Institution. With his friend Haydon, he was a great opponent of the Academy, where he did not exhibit after 1843. He died in 1862, and after his death was published his 'Thoughts on Great Painters.' Hig best-known work is 'The Love-Letter,' exhibited at the British Institution in 1826.