Brief Biography-John Martin was born in Northumberland, England, in 1789. He began working at heraldic coach painting in Newcastle upon Tyne and went to London in 1806, where he married and taught painting. The Royal Academy accepted his first painting in 1811. However, he was unhappy with how they hung his work in 1814, which led to numerous disagreements with the Academy. Nevertheless, he won prizes at the British Institution, which earned him widespread appeal and helped found the Society of British Artists. His dramatic sensationalism also found favour in France. Charles X awarded him a gold medal in 1829, and at that time, he gained a reputation as Britain’s highest painter in Europe. Unfortunately, whilst recovering from a stroke in Douglas, he died in 1854.