The Bowyer Bible
Among the few documents that exist relating to the Bowyer Bible history there is much confusion about Robert Bowyer's true identity. Several people identify him as William Bowyer, a member of a famous family of London printers.
In fact, during his lifetime Robert Bowyer enjoyed a distinguished career as a commissioned painter of miniature portraits for King George the III. He was a publisher of extravagantly illustrated books. Bowyer also was a lifelong active member of the Baptist church and became a minister in later life.
Between 1783 and 1828 Bowyer exhibited thirty two portraits at the Royal Academy and when the King's miniaturist Jeremiah Meyer died in 1789 he was appointed in his place.
During this time Bowyer painted many worthy figures of his day; Lord Sandwich and Lord Nelson were among his subjects. Unfortunately Bowyer's reputation as an artist has since faded in favour of the more celebrated miniaturists of his day such as his teacher John Smart or Richard Crosse, another contemporary.
Bowyer also had a career as a dealer in art prints and as a publisher of books, the first of which was an extravagantly embellished edition of David Hume's History of England.
This featured commissioned illustrations by such artists as John Opie and P. J. De Loutherbourg intended to" ...rouse the passions, to fire the mind with emulation of heroic deeds, or to inspire it with the detestation of criminal actions. " according to Bowyer.
Ultimately the project failed due to an unfavourable economic climate and Bowyer was forced to apply to parliament to sell the paintings featured in the book by lottery. Despite this early set back he went on to successfully publish several other elaborately illustrated historical works.
Throughout his life Bowyer remained a faithful follower of the Baptist church. He contributed yearly to the Baptist Missionary Society and made representations to King George III in support of their work.
In later life he became a minister due to his long friendship with John Rippon, a celebrated pastor and hymnologist who supported his appointment. In 1815 he was directed to set up a church in Byfleet, Surrey in which he was active near to the end of his life.
