3 pencil and watercolor images by Joseph Severn. These images are noted as being done on his way to Rome with John Keats. Joseph Severn (1793-1879) was a painter and friend of John Keats. Ending his life as British Consul in Rome, the young painter Joseph Severn arrived in Italy's capital in November 1820 with the poet John Keats. To Severn's distress, Keats died at their villa near the Spanish Steps three months later. The aspiring history painter nevertheless stayed in Rome where, with his knowledge of Italian, sociable manner and personal charm, he was able to prosper in the art market and play a decisive role in co-founding the British academy in Rome. He exhibited portraits, Italian genre, literary and biblical subjects, and a selection of his paintings can today be found in some of the most important museums in London, including the National Portrait Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum and Tate Britain. View the finding aid for this collection.