Thornhill, Sir James, 1676–1734, English decorative artist. George I made him court painter and later knighted him. He executed decorations in Hampton Court and the cupola of St. Paul's, London; the hall of Greenwich Hospital, Chatham, England; the great hall of Blenheim Palace; and various chapels at Oxford, where he also painted altarpieces for All Souls and Queen's colleges. As a teacher, he found a rare pupil in Hogarth, who became his son-in-law. The limited number of Thornhill's etchings includes Adam and Eve.
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