George Quincy Thorndike received his education at Harvard University. Upon his graduation in 1847 Thorndike traveled to France to study painting. When he returned he settled first in Newport, Rhode Island. By 1857 the artist had taken residence in New York City. Thorndike occupied the Tenth Street Studio Building until 1864. In 1865 the artist again spent time in Newport. Sketches made at this time resulted in paintings of prominent sites in Rhode Island such as Hanging Rock - Paradise, Newport, R.I. (1866). Thorndike returned to Tenth Street in 1866 before travelling again to Newport in 1868. By 1885 the artist had returned to Boston.
Thorndike first exhibited his landscapes at the Academy in 1857. He continued to show frequently until 1868. He last contributed to an Academy show in 1885. In addition to exhibiting at the NAD, Thorndike also exhibited at the Boston Athenaeum and the PAFA. Upon his death the members of the Council recalled Thorndike as "...an amateur landscape painter of ability, and an amiable and accomplished man; who, in former years, contributed many pleasing works to the Exhibitions." (May 11, 1887).
