Historical Sketches of Kentucky by Lewis Collins, Maysville, KY. and J. A. & U. P. James, Cincinnati, 1847. Volume 1. Reprinted 1968. Fayette County. Artists of Kentucky, page 623. THOMAS S. NOBLE, probably the most distinguished of the living artists (painters) of Kentucky, is a native of Lexington, born in 1835, son of Thos. H. Noble, a leading manufacturer. As with most artists of eminence, the passion for drawing seemed a natural development, manifesting itself early, at home and at school. It interfered with his studies, but the teacher smiled upon the efforts that produced so many genuine imitations and such curious creations of the fancy. His first teacher of drawing was Rev. John W. Venable; but at 17, in a few months in the studio of S. W. Price, at Louisville, he learned the use of colors and received the kindest encouragement. After a few months study in New York city, in the companionship of some of the best artists, he crossed the Atlantic, to Paris, and for three years emjoyed the special instructions and friendship of the illustrious Thomas Contune, author of many great works, a consummate draughtsman, and one of the first of modern colorists; meanwhile studying, with enthusiastic avidity, the works of the great masters. Returning to America, under financial embarrassment, in 1858, he struggled on, patiently and diligently working out the rich fruition of his European studies. In 1865, he completed his first notable work, the "American Slave Market," representing an auction sale of slaves on the steps on an American court house - a telling picture of the recent past, then warmly applauded, and which indicated unusual dramatic and artistic talent. This was followed by some kindred works of great power, scenes in life of a character to attract curiosity and admiration in words, but not to command purchasers. He left St. Louis, in 1866, for New York, was elected a member of the New York Academy of Design, receiving a warm welcome from the artists and a flattering patronage from the citizens for many minor pieces. In 1868, he was by unanimous vote elected a member of the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, the first non-resident who received that honor. During the same year, Mr. Nobel was chosen, by the directors of the Cincinnati University, to the direction of the (McMicken) Academy of Design connected with that institution. Here he has continued to labor with an enthusiasm and singleness of purpose which has already produced flattering results, extending a beneficial influence all over the west, and stimulating a healthy development of art, taste, and education. It is his favorite theory that every manufacturing town should have an industrial school, and the principal city of each state an art school, for the promotion of thorough art education. His residence is in Campbell county, Ky., in one of the suburbs of Cincinnati. The engagements of his responsible position have left Mr. Noble but little time to cultivate his profession as before, but in the Art Hall of the Cincinnati Exposition in 1872 were shown some of his pictures, which were much observed for their dramatic effect and brilliant coloring. It we mistake not, the fine portrait in the court house at Owingsille, Ky., of the Hon. Richard H. Menefee, was from the pencil of Mr. Noble - from an original taken shortly before the death of Kentucky's greatest young statesmen. He has all the qualities of a fine historic painter; and there are great scenes in Kentucky history which it is hoped Mr. N. will yet perpetuate upon canvas, with a life and power beyond the scope of the best word-pictures. Noble Venable Price Contune McMicken Menefee = Louisville-Jefferson-KY NY Paris-France St._Louis-St._Louis-MO Chicago-Cook-IL OH Campbell-KY Owingsville-Bath-KY http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/fayette/noble.ts.txt