Robert Woodcock English marine painter, musician and composer Date of Birth: 09.10.1690 Country: Great Britain

Biography of Robert Woodcock

Robert Woodcock was an English marine artist, musician, and composer who lived and worked during the Baroque period. While the exact date of his birth is unknown, he was baptized on October 9, 1690, at the Chelsea Old Church in London. He grew up in Shrewsbury House in the Chelsea district, where his parents ran a school for girls. Coming from a wealthy family, Woodcock's father, Robert Woodcock Sr., was referred to as a gentleman, indicating their favorable social standing.

In 1714, Robert Woodcock married Ayliffe Stoaks, and they had several children together. According to modern biographical research, Woodcock held a position as a clerk in the government and served as a civil servant. However, around 1723, he resigned from his position and pursued a career as a professional artist. Unfortunately, in his later years, Woodcock suffered greatly from gout, which eventually led to his death.

Woodcock passed away on April 10, 1728, at the age of 38 and was buried at the same church where he was baptized. As a marine artist, Woodcock specialized in painting ships at sea. His style was heavily influenced by the works of the Dutch artist Willem van de Velde the Younger, known as the "Raphael of Marine Painting," whose pieces Woodcock diligently copied. He was also a skilled musician and composer, playing the oboe, flute, and recorder. Although his primary instrument was the flute, it was not until almost half a century after his death that John Hawkins, a renowned music historian, referred to Woodcock as a "famous flutist."

In his notes dated 1725, the engraver George Vertue described Woodcock as an "original gentleman, a lover of painting and music, and a professor." Vertue went on to praise Woodcock's musical talents, highlighting his virtuosity on the oboe and his publication of numerous pieces. This favorable assessment suggests that Woodcock not only performed and composed but possibly also taught music or painting, though it is unclear which discipline he taught his students. Vertue also added that Woodcock possessed a noble appearance, good physical shape, and pleasant facial features.

The only surviving compositions by Robert Woodcock are a collection of twelve concertos published by Walsh and Hare in London around 1727. Originally titled "12 Concertos in Eight Parts, the First Three for Violin and One Little Flute, the Second Three for Violin and Two Little Flutes, the Third Three for Violin and One German Flute, and the Last Three for Violins and One Oboe," these concertos are the earliest known published works for flute and English concertos for oboe. Shortly after Woodcock's publication, Antonio Vivaldi released his own collection of ten concertos in 1728, and the earliest oboe concertos were published by Italian composer Tomaso Albinoni in 1715. The earliest mention of Woodcock's concertos dates back to March 1722 when a theatrical advertisement announced that John Baston, a recorder player, would perform a new concerto by Mr. Woodcock. This proves that at least part of the collection was written long before its publication. Moreover, Woodcock's works quickly became part of the standard repertoire for English performers on woodwind instruments.

In the 1930s and 1950s, some experts speculated that Woodcock's concertos actually belonged to other composers, including George Frideric Handel. However, there is no doubt today about Robert Woodcock's authorship.