John Howes (painter)

John Howes (9 November 1750 – 17 December 1833) was an English painter and miniaturist notable for his work David Garrick unveiling a herm of Shakespeare and the Ephesian Diana and for two paintings inspired by Thomson's The Seasons Palemon and Lavinia in a Landscape and Celadon and Lavinia in a Landscape.

[6] The Honorary Medal presented to David Garrick Esq by the Incorporated Actors of Drury Lane Theatre painted in enamel, from a drawing by Mr Cipriani (David Garrick unveiling a herm of Shakespeare and the Ephesian Diana) was a notable work executed in 1777, marking the actor's retirement from the stage.

[7] Despite Horace Walpole's negative comments, 'very bad and unlike', the Morning Chronicle's of 28 April 1777 were much more positive about his work, 'which does Mr Howes as much credit as an enamel painter as the presenting it reflects the actors'.

[9] In 1784 John Howes won the prize of the Silver Pallett from the Royal Society of Arts for his work The Queen of Sheba visiting Solomon in the category of historical drawing.

Thomson's poem, dating from 1726-30 was hugely popular in the 18th century and editions of his work included engravings based on these subjects.