Original works of art

Of all the artists who painted animals in England around this time, Towne was perhaps the artist most influenced by the Dutch landscape painters, and his work often includes extensive, highly detailed landscapes. Charles Towne was born in Wigande and worked in Essex before settling in Liverpool where he added an “e” to his name. He established himself as a painter at the early age of seventeen and like so many artists of the time was successful in exhibiting some of his work at the Royal Academy.

Towne gained some knowledge of landscape painting from the Lancashire painter John Rathdone. He exhibited a landscape at the 2nd Exhibition of Liverpool Society for Promoting Painting and Design in 1787. By the 1790's he emerged as an experienced animal painter and settled in Manchester for a few years .

In the early 1800's he settled in London for a while. In 1812 he became Vice President of the new Academy of Artists. An advertisement in a Liverpool newspaper in 1813 invited work as a picture restorer and cleaner. It also stated that he "continues to paint Portraits of Horses, Dogs and Cattle in general, at various prices from Six, to Sixty Guineas, according to the size of the Picture, style and finishing ..."

He exhibited 12 paintings at the Royal Academy from 1799 to 1812. He also exhibited at the new Academy of Artists from 1812 until 1825.