Joseph Clover (artist)

Joseph Clover (baptised 19 September 1779 – 28 April 1853) was an English portrait painter and a member of the Norwich School of painters. He was born in Aylsham, in the English county of Norfolk, one of the twelve children of Thomas and Ann Clover, who owned a drapery business in the town. Few details of his early years are known. He was engaged to be married, but his fiancée, a local girl, died in 1801. He started his career as an engraver but was advised to give it up. Inspired to turn to portrait painting when the artist John Opie painted one of his relatives, he became Opie's pupil, and studied under him for four years. His paintings often use a generous amount of paint, handled freely in a fashion that was characteristic of Opie.

Clover inherited property and was paid well for his commissioned works. He lived an uneventful and comfortable life, mainly in London, where he was a prominent member of the Swedenborgian New Church. In 1809, he was selected to portray three of the mayors of Norwich, the decision based in part on his works exhibited at the Royal Academy that year. In 1811, he staged an exhibition of his works in Norwich. Although known during his life as a portrait painter, Clover also produced accomplished landscape paintings for his own pleasure.