Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/100

 CHA

CHA

panorama of London. This work com-

?leted, he became the scene painter at the 'avilion Theatre. Self-taught, relying upon himself, struggling with difficulties, he at- tained success. His painting gained the notice of Admiral Lord Mark Kerr, who introduced him to William IV. Fortune seemed to look favourably upon him, and he was rapidly improving in nis art, when his constitution, impaired by the hardship of his boyhood and never naturally strong, gave way, and he fell a victim to disease on October 28, 1840. Late in his career he drew in water-colours, and rapidly master- ing the technicalities of the art, he was admitted an associate exhibitor of the Water-Colour Societvin 1834, and in 1836 elected a member of the Society, and ex- hibited up to his death many clever works founded on the interesting incidents of our river and coast scenery. His best works were his naval battles. In Greenwich Hospital there is by him a large painting of the 'Bombardment of Algiers in 1816' and the ' Capture of Portobello ; ' but though truthful and correct, his works have a tendency to coldness in manner and colour. He left a family, for whom a sub- scription. was raised. His ' Life and Ca- reer/ by John Watkins, was published in 1841.

CHAMBERS, Sir William, Knt., R.A., architect. Was descended from a Scotch family, and was born at Stockholm, in 1729, where his grandfather was an eminent merchant, and his father supplied the armies of Charles XII. with stores and money. In 1728, when 2 years of age, he came with his father to England. lie was educated at Ripon, and at 16 commenced life as supercargo to the Swedish East India Company, and made one voyage to China, where his previous acquirements enabled him to make some sketches of their peculiar architecture. But when 18 he quitted that service to follow the bent of his own inclination as a draftsman and architect, and went to Italy, where he made a considerable stay, assiduously studying to improve himself in his adopted profession, and at Paris studied under Clerisseau. On his return in 1755 he had the good fortune *to be employed by the Princess Dowager of Wales in the improve- ment of Eew Gardens, and was also em- ployed to teach the Prince of Wales draw- ing, which secured him the royal favour for the rest of his life, and by his own merits and ability as a draftsman he early enjoyed a great reputation.

He was also distinguished as an author. In 1759 he published his 'Designs for Chinese Buildings' and a ' Treatise on Civil Architecture/ upon which his fame as an author rests ; in 1765, in a costly form, the result of his labours at Kew, ' Plans,

Elevations, Sections, and Perspective Views of the Gardens and Buildings at Kew ; ' in 1771, * A Dissertation on Orien- tal Gardening/ founded on his own observ- ations in China, a work which was much ridiculed at the time. The King of Sweden in 1771 created him a Knight of the Polar Star, and his own sovereign allowed him to assume the title. In 1775 he was appointed the architect of the great national palace in the Strand, Somerset House, and main- tained for many years the highest rank of his profession. He was architect to the King and the Queen, and surveyor-general of the Board of Works. He was largely instrumental in the foundation of the Royal Academy, and was one of the first members, and the treasurer. He was also a fellow of the Royal Society and the Society of Anti- quaries, a member of the Academy of Fine Arts at Florence, and of the Royal Aca- demy of Architecture at Paris. He died, after along and severe illness, at his house in Norton Street, March 8, 1796, aged 69, and was buried in Poet's Corner, West- minster Abbey. He left a son and three daughters married, and had amassed a considerable fortune. Somerset House is his greatest work — the terrace is boldly conceived, the distribution of the interior good, the staircases masterpieces. Among his best works may be mentioned Charle- mont House, Dublin, a noble mansion ; the Marquis of Abercorn's mansion at Duddingstone, near Edinburgh ; Milton Abbey, near Dorchester ; Lord Bess- borough's Italian villa at Roehampton ; and the ' Albany/ Piccadilly. Mr. Hard- wick, R.A., published in 1825 a memoir of his life.

CHANDLER, J. W., portrait painter. He was a natural son of Lord Warwick, and practised in London towards the end of the 18th century ; and about 1800 was invited to Aberdeenshire, where he painted a good many portraits, and afterwards settled in Edinburgh. He was a free- thinker, of a morbid disposition, and attempted suicide. His life was spared, but he died in confinement about 1804-5, when under 30 years of age. He was con- sidered of great promise. His works are little known, and such as may be seen are stiff, weakly painted, and do not sustain the character of talent. He does not ap- pear to have exhibited at the Academy. William Ward, A.R.A., mezzo-tinted after him a portrait of Lord St. Helens.

CHANTREY, Sir Francis Lbgatt, Knt., R.A., sculptor. He was born at Norton, near Sheffield, April 7, 1781. His father was a carpenter, and also rented some small fields, and his family had long followed humble employments in that neighbourhood. Educated in the village school, he was then employed by a grocer

79