Gear, J. W. (John William), 1806-1866

John William Gear, a portraitist, miniaturist, watercolor painter, and lithographer, specialized in theatrical portraits. He exhibited in London, 1821-1852, and came to the U.S. in 1852.

Joseph Gear (1768-1853) was a marine painter and caricaturist. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1824, moved to Boston in the early 1830s, and exhibited at the Boston Athenaeum, 1829-1937.

John William Gear (1806-1866) was an English-born portraitist, miniaturist, watercolor painter, and lithographer, who specialized in theatrical portraits. His greatest work was the publishing of a set of impressions of theater audiences, Portraits of the Public being Heads of Audiences, ... . This work was to be published a few at a time in pamphlet form, but only number one ever appeared. He exhibited in London, 1821-1852, and came to Boston ca. 1852 and set-up a business for cleaning and restoring paintings. Although he exhibited his work at the Boston Athenaeum in 1855, he sank into poverty and in 1866 he committed suicide at his father's grave (Joseph Gear) in Mount Auburn Cemetery.

Joseph Gear (1768-1853) was a marine painter, engraver, caricaturist, and a musician. He immigrated to the United States in 1824?, later moved to Boston, and exhibited at the Boston Athenaeum, 1829-1837. He was said to be a "double bassist employed at Drury Lane Theatre, London, and Tremont St. Theatre, Boston, Mass." John William Gear was his son.