the collector's folio

Robert Smirke Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Robert Smirke our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Robert Smirke · 1753 – 1845

Diana and Actaeon

Yale Center for British Art, New Haven · original 32.1 x 25.4cm

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$22033 × 30 cm Commission this artwork

Woman Sleeping in the Nude in a Wooded Landscape

Yale Center for British Art, New Haven · original 32.2 x 25.4cm

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17037 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Figure Study of a Nude Woman in a Wooded Landscape

Yale Center for British Art, New Haven · original 32.1 x 25.4cm

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17037 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

The Earl of Sandwich Refusing to Abandon His Ship During the Battle of Solebay (1793)

1793 · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven · original 223.5 x 185.4cm

View the most popular artwork of Robert Smirke ranked #4: The Earl of Sandwich Refusing to Abandon His Ship During the Battle of Solebay

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$32029 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1492185 × 224 cm Commission at original size

The Awakening of King Lear by Robert Smirke, 1792

1792 · original 78.7 x 53.2cm

View the most popular artwork of Robert Smirke ranked #5: The Awakening of King Lear

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$22026 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$31453 × 79 cm Commission at original size

Sarah Siddons as Lady Macbeth (1790)

1790 · original 73.6 x 60.9cm

View the most popular artwork of Robert Smirke ranked #6: Sarah Siddons as Lady Macbeth

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$19528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$29861 × 74 cm Commission at original size

'love For Love' By William Congreve

Robert Smirke’s 'Love For Love' captures 18th-century betrayal with dramatic Neoclassical flair. A circular oil painting featuring intense figures & shadows, embodying intrigue and moral transgression. Explore this captivating artwork.

Art Movement: Neoclassicism
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17032 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

A Scene From 'the Busybody' From By Mrs Centlivre by Robert Smirke

1709 · Upton House, Banbury

View the most popular artwork of Robert Smirke ranked #8: A Scene From 'the Busybody' From By Mrs Centlivre

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17032 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Falstaff rebuked

1795 · original 79.4 x 55.5cm

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$44526 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$54656 × 79 cm Commission at original size

Melinda And Lucy Consult Kite

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17031 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Resuscitation By Doctor Hawes Of A Man Believed Drowned, Robert Smirke

View the most popular artwork of Robert Smirke ranked #11: Resuscitation By Doctor Hawes Of A Man Believed Drowned

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17036 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

'henry Iv', Part I, Act Ii, Scene 1, The Inn Yard With Gadshill And The Carriers

Explore Robert Smirke’s 'Henry IV', Part I – a dramatic Baroque oil painting of intrigue & enlightenment. Discover its chiaroscuro lighting, rich details, and symbolic lantern. A captivating piece of English literature art.

Art Movement: Baroque
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$22026 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

The Rival Waiting-women

Hatchlands Park, Guildford

Step into the 18th century with Robert Smirke's 'The Rival Waiting-women.' This captivating oil painting depicts elegance, subtle tension, and a charming domestic scene – a timeless piece for art lovers.

View the most popular artwork of Robert Smirke ranked #13: The Rival Waiting-women

Art Movement: Neoclassical
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17027 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

The Afflicted Matron, The Countess Trifaldi, From 'don Quixote'

Explore Robert Smirke’s "The Afflicted Matron." A Baroque oil painting rich in detail & dramatic lighting, depicting a scene from 'Don Quixote.' Discover its symbolism and masterful technique.

Art Movement: Baroque
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$34537 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Robert Smirke: The Rivals from `Tom Jones

Discover "The Rivals from Tom Jones" by Robert Smirke – a captivating 18th-century portrait. Explore this elegant artwork's history & beauty. Ideal for art collectors.

View the most popular artwork of Robert Smirke ranked #15: The Rivals from `Tom Jones

Art Movement: Neoclassicism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17028 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

The Cession Of Matavai

Explore Robert Smirke’s ‘The Cession of Matavai,’ a dramatic Romantic oil painting depicting colonial power & cultural clash. Discover its complex composition, earthy palette, and symbolic depth.

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$39538 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Robert Smirke: The Order Of Knighthood Conferred On Don Quixote By The Inn Keeper

Admire Robert Smirke’s "The Order of Knighthood." A captivating 19th-century illustration depicting Don Quixote's knighting. Hand-painted reproduction – a timeless classic!

View the most popular artwork of Robert Smirke ranked #17: The Order Of Knighthood Conferred On Don Quixote By The Inn Keeper

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17029 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Sancho Panza And The Duchess

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17037 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

The Merry Wives Of Windsor -

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17035 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

The wreck of the 'Grosvenor' (1792) by Robert Smirke

1792

View the most popular artwork of Robert Smirke ranked #20: The wreck of the 'Grosvenor'

Color Palette: Dark

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$44535 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Robert Smirke: Young Man Lifted From A River, Apparently Drowned

View the most popular artwork of Robert Smirke ranked #21: Young Man Lifted From A River, Apparently Drowned

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17036 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Illustration To Le Strange's 'gil Blas'

Color Palette: Dark

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17028 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Mary Isabella Somerset

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17025 × 40 cm Commission this artwork

The Merry Wives Of Windsor

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17024 × 42 cm Commission this artwork

Don Quixote At Home, After The Termination Of His Second Sally

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 77 artworks by Robert Smirke
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17029 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

Robert Smirke

1753 – 1845

Quick facts

Died1845
Art periodEarly Modern
Top-ranked workDiana and Actaeon
Creative periodsmature period, late medieval
Born1753, Wigton, United Kingdom
Color intensitybalanced, monochromatic
Top 3 worksDiana and Actaeon, Woman Sleeping in the Nude in a Wooded Landscape, Figure Study of a Nude Woman in a Wooded Landscape
Corpus themesliterary illustration, historical narrative

Biography

The Poetic Vision of Robert Smirke

In the grand tapestry of British art history, where many sought glory through sweeping battle scenes or monumental portraits, Robert Smirke carved a delicate and profoundly intimate niche. Born in 1753 in the quiet town of Wigton, near Carlisle, Smirke was a man whose brush was guided more by the rhythm of verse than by the drama of history. As the son of a travelling artist, his childhood was steeped in the very essence of observation, learning to see the world through a lens of movement and light long before he ever held a formal apprenticeship. This early exposure to the itinerant life instilled in him a lifelong reverence for the subtle details of the natural world, a quality that would later define his unique approach to the literary landscape.

Smir andke's artistic journey was one of steady, meticulous refinement. After honing his technical skills under a London heraldic painter, he began to emerge into the professional sphere through the Incorporated Society of Artists in 1775. While his early exhibitions were modest, they revealed a burgeoning talent for capturing the quiet elegance of a scene. He did not merely paint landscapes; he painted stories. His true mastery lay in his ability to translate the written word into visual poetry, specifically focusing on the works of English poets such as James Thomson. By choosing monochrome palettes and intricate compositions, Smirke created a sense of timelessness, allowing the viewer to step directly into the stanzas of classic literature.

A Legacy Within the Royal Academy

The ascent of Robert Smirke within the prestigious halls of the Royal Academy serves as a testament to his technical prowess and his ability to captivate the era's most discerning critics. His election as an Associate Academician in 1791, followed by full academician status in 1793, marked his transition from a promising illustrator to a cornerstone of the British art establishment. It was during this period that his most celebrated works began to resonate with the public imagination. Pieces such as Narcissus and the Lady and Sabrina—subjects drawn from Milton’s Comus—demonstrated a profound sensitivity to the atmospheric qualities of myth and legend.

Smirke's work is characterized by several defining elements that set him apart from his contemporaries:

Literary Symbiosis: An unparalleled ability to bridge the gap between English poetry and visual art, making the abstract beauty of verse tangible.
Monochrome Mastery: A sophisticated use of limited color palettes to evoke mood, depth, and a sense of historical nostalgia.
Meticulous Draughtsmanship: A foundation in heraldic precision that allowed for exquisite detail in every leaf, ripple, and drapery.
Intimate Scale: A preference for compositions that invite close inspection, rewarding the viewer with hidden nuances and delicate textures.

Even his diploma work, Don Quixote and Sancho, reflected his dedication to character and narrative depth. Though he may not have sought the fame of those who painted the epic scale of empire, Smirke’s historical significance lies in his role as a visual custodian of English literary heritage. He transformed the canvas into a page of a book, ensuring that the romanticism of the 18th-century poets would endure through the enduring power of his imagery. His life, spanning from the late 18th century to 1845, remains a beautiful chapter in the story of British art—a story told not in loud proclamations, but in the soft, evocative whispers of a master storyteller.

Questions & Answers

How many artworks by Robert Smirke are available to browse?

You can browse 77 artworks by Robert Smirke on the All Artworks page.

How popular are Robert Smirke's artworks?

The Stats page of Robert Smirke presents statistics computed from the artist's artworks listed on this website.

Can I sort Robert Smirke's artworks by color?

Robert Smirke's works can be explored by color on the artist's Spectral Index page.

By the AllPaintingsStore.com Editorial Team Updated Sept. 10, 2026

one You choose the size

Standard formats or any custom dimension, matched to the proportions of the original.

two We paint and send a preview

A photo of the finished canvas for your approval before it is shipped.

three Delivered, certified

Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

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