Brent Hixon

Hixon Family Art

The Hixon family’s creative history stretches back centuries, with a lineage shaped by print, painting, engraving and applied craft.William Hixon (1736–1802), a London-based copperplate printer and 6× great-grandfather, worked from Cecil Street in the Strand and lived at 13 Bridges Street, Covent Garden. He produced numerous satirical copperplate prints, with surviving examples now held by the British Museum.His son, Robert Joseph Hixon (1766–1834), 5× great-grandfather, followed him into the trade as both apprentice and successor. An engraver and illustrator, he produced and published engravings, illustrated prints and scenes of London life. He became particularly known for his Masonic engravings and documents. He later worked from premises at 440 Strand, now the site of Coutts bank. His work is also represented in the British Museum.The artistic line continued with William James Hixon (1801–1870), 4× great-grandfather, who worked as an oil painter and art dealer. Known for animal paintings and countryside scenes, his work has been sold at Christie’s. Alongside painting, he was also active in the buying and selling of art. His brother James Bristow Hixon, was also involved in the family business.His son, James Thompson Hixon (1836–1868), 3× great-granduncle, also worked as an artist, primarily in oils. A number of his sketches are now held by the British Museum, continuing the family’s connection to British art collections.By the next generation, that artistic tradition had begun to move from fine art into applied craft through William Henry Hixon, 2× great-grandfather. Born in Nova Scotia while his parents were abroad, he later worked for many years as an artist in the London area before moving to Eastleigh, Hampshire. There, he was employed first as a railway coach painter and later as a house painter, reflecting a shift from studio-based art into skilled decorative and industrial work.That blend of art and working life continued with Leonard George “Tom” Compton (1908–1996), Brent's grandfather. Born in Homington, Wiltshire, and later living in the Southampton area, he produced oil paintings of the countryside and rural life, alongside railway-themed artwork informed by his professional life as a train driver. His work stands as part of a long family tradition of creativity carried alongside everyday trade and labour.Together, these generations trace a creative heritage that runs from 18th-century London printmaking and engraving through oil painting, decorative craft and railway art, a tradition of making that has endured across centuries.