John Stinton

Who was John Stinton?

John Stinton was a British ‘Royal Worcester’ painter best known for his ‘Highland Cattle’ scenes.

John Stinton was one of a long line of the Stinton family who painted for the Worcester firm for some 160 years. The family tradition started with Henry Stinton who was employed from 1805 at the Grainger family's factory at St.Martins Gate in Worcester and would later become part of the ‘Royal Worcester’ group. John Stinton born in 1829, was Henry Stinton's son and started his apprenticeship at the Grainger factory when eleven years old, remaining there until his retirement in 1895. John was an accomplished artist and soon became a respected member of the Grainger staff. He discovered that oil of cloves would prevent his paints from drying out too quickly. John produced five sons, three following in their father's footsteps and becoming painters at the Worcester factories.

Stinton was the eldest son, but did not take up china painting until the rather late age of thirty five. Besides Highland cattle, he depicted English cattle and produced many fine images of British castles on his plates and a large number of watercolour landscapes.