Mark Thompson (painter)

He was a keen amateur painter as a young man, while working in Sunderland as a general agent.

Most of Thompson's work arose from commissions from the local landed gentry for whom he executed many fine landscapes and topographical views, often recording the fine period country houses of the area for their owners.

Thompson's work was highly prized by his patrons, largely because his style is similar to that of Thomas Sidney Cooper the famous painter of pastoral landscapes.

Art critic Nigel Rhodes described Thompson as using "gentle, earth-toned palettes, with a natural sense of composition and a light, skilful technique.

"[3] Thompson exhibited his first works in London through the British Institution in 1865 and 1866, with pastoral landscapes, "The Trees above' Middleton" and “Sheep Walk, Cronkley Craggs,Teesdale".