Peter Toms (painter)

After the death in 1749 of Joseph van Aken, the leading drapery painter in England, he became a drapery-painter, and worked for Francis Cotes for several years.

After Cotes' death, he was employed by Sir Joshua Reynolds, Allan Ramsay, Benjamin West and John Zoffany amongst others.

[5]He is also believed to have made a major contribution to Reynolds' Master Thomas Lister (early 1760s; Bradford, Cartwright Hall).

James Northcote called Toms a very good drapery painter but deemed his rather heavy manner not to be in harmony with Reynolds' style.

[6] He was patronised by Hugh, Duke of Northumberland, who following his appointment as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1763 invited Toms to join him in Dublin.

[8] Despite his success as a drapery painter, his heavy drinking and a lack of prudence in other respects, kept him poor, and prevented his advancement in the College of Heralds.