John Hoskins was born in about 1595. By the 1620s he was the most important miniaturist working in England.

Hoskins was employed by Charles I from April 1640 as a limner and painted several portraits of Henrietta Maria and her children. Hoskins was paid £200 a year but his work for the king was soon overshadowed by the paintings of his nephew and pupil, Samuel Cooper.

John Hoskins died in Covent Garden on 22nd February, 1665.