m his father’s reputation in their community. His father was highly regarded for being a serious and accomplished man with an intense interest in literature and history. Haydon’s father was intent on sharing his high regard for learning with his son. Occupying an influential position in the young artist’s life, the role of Haydon’s father assists in illustrating Haydon’s deep interest in history and his lifelong fascination with important people and events. As a result of this upbringing, Haydon understood the significance of possessing great ambition in building a life of great achievement.
Haydon’s father was only one of many sources that helped mold the artist into the great man he became. His teachers and the heroes of his youth were equally as inspiring to the young Haydon. Perhaps most crucial was the nature of Haydon himself. His extreme inquisitiveness and curiosity led him to pursue his artistic dreams of greatness. Haydon attended grammar school in Plymouth at Plympton St. Mary. While immersed in Joshua Reynold’s Discourses, Haydon was infused with a sudden passion for historical painting. At the same time, a Neapolitan employee of his father fostered Haydon’s interest and talent for drawing (Peters 3).
At eighteen years of age, after a lengthy apprenticeship, Haydon felt he had learned all he could from his father. Hoping to broaden the breadth of his exposure, in 1805 Haydon entered the Royal Academy of London. Haydon was an enthusiastic student, who, after attending lectures given by the anatomist and surgeon Charles Bell in 1806, became very interested in human anatomy. In two short years Haydon proudly exhibited his first of many historical paintings: “The Repose in Egypt”.
At the beginning of his professional career, Haydon became consumed with the ambition of becoming the greatest historical painter England had ever produced. He intended to devote his entire life to paintin...