George Goodwin Kilburne was an English genre painter awarded with positions in institutes such as R.I., R.O.I, R.M.S.. Kilburne was born July 24 in Reepham, Norfolk in 1839 to parents; Goodwin Kilburne and Rebecca Button. His father was a school headmaster. In 1844 his father had been promoted to a new position, however this meant he had moved the family from Norfolk to Kent. After the move, his father ran a private school in Hawkhurst. It was at this school where Kilburne was educated. After leaving school, Kilburne went on to apprentice for 5 year in London to engravers and illustrators the Dalziel Brothers, studying wood engraving. Throughout his time here Kilburne fell in love. On 21 June, 1862 he married Janet Dalziel the daughter of Robert Dalziel and niece of his employer, George Dalziel. The couple lived at Hilldrop Road, Islington and together had five children. One of his sons, George Goodwin Jnr (1863-1938) followed in his father’s footsteps, also becoming an artist.  

Many of Kilburnes paintings present realistic interiors with figures. Although he was a skilled artist in many mediums, Kilburne favoured using watercolours even though he initially trained as a wood-engraver.  

Kilburne had an affinity for charming interiors depicted in the 18th century. These interiors used storytelling to highlight quaint family life, these renders focus on Victorian upper-class scenes painted in a traditional manner. Although Kilburne mirrored more present themes he too explored courtship between characters from the 17th century during his early years as an artist. Works of art involving 17th century costumes increasingly became popular at the turn of the century. Luckily for Kilburne this immense popularity for the subject matter mainly was reproduced through engravings, this being the medium Kilburne was professionally trained in. Although this was a strong movement at the time, Kilburne turned from engraving to painting in 1862 and this is where his famous interior pieces came from. This led to his more romantic compositions  

Over the course of his career, Kilburne made his way through upper socialite circles. Connecting with important people that elevated his status allowing him to further advance his artistic career. These circles were infatuated with Kilburne’s execution in detailed portrait orientated pieces. Kilburne specialization lied in depicting breathtaking women considered to be the epitome of Victorian beauty. Because of this he received considerable success and was even elected a member of the New Watercolor Society in 1866. He frequently exhibited at institutions like the Royal Academy between 1863 and 1918, the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, the royal society of British artists and the Grosvenor Galleries. He died in 1924 in London, England.  

Sadly, Kilburne’s first wife died in 1882 on 27 July. Almost two decades later in 1899 he remarried to his second wife, Edith Golightly. The couple had two children together. He died at his daughter’s residence, 38 Steele’s Road, Hampstead, on 21 June 1924 and was buried at Highgate Cemetery