Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/147

 DIC

DIX

change of ministry. He was saved from in- digence by an annuity purchased by public subscription. He died July 25, 1814.

DIC1iINS0N,William, mezzo-tint and dot engraver. Born in London in 1746. He was awarded a premium at the Society of Arts in 1767, and engraved after West, Morland, Angelica Kaufman, Stubbs, Bunburv, and numerous portraits after Reynolds which he rendered with great truth and power. He was a good drafts- man, greatly distinguished in nis art ; his colour good, his engraving hke the master. His best works are purchased at large prices. He retired to Paris, where he died in 1823.

DICKINSON, William, architect. He was surveyor to Westminster Abbey in the early part of the 18th century ; and the design for the Rose Window of the north porch, the glass of which is dated 1722, has been ascribed to him. He superintended, 1671-80, the erection of St. Bride's Church, London, designed by Sir Christopher Wren.

• DIEPENBECK. Abraham, painter and draftsman. Was born at Bois-le-Duc in 1607, and was the pupil of Rubens, under whom he studied with much indus- try, and then went to Italy, returning to work in his master's atelier. He first de- voted himself to glass painting, completed some fine windows for the Antwerp churches, and gained the reputation of the first glass painter of the day, but his process in the furnace often failed. In the reign of Charles I. he came to England and painted some windows here. He was chiefly em- ployed, however, by the Duke of Newcastle. He drew the Duke's managed horses for his Grace's book on Horsemanship. Also views of Welbeck and Bolsover, and the portraits of the Duke and Duchess, and of their children. He returned to Antwerp before 1641. and died there 1675.

and drawing-master. Was a man of many talents — painter, actor, dramatic writer, singer, and withal a great humorist. He styled himself ' drawing-master.' He first appears as an exhibitor with the Free Society of Artists in 1769, and in that year and up to 1773 contributed small por- traits in chalk. At the Royal Academy in 1775 he exhibited a frame of stained draw- ings : in 1777 he sent ' A Conversation,' small whole-lengths, and ' A Drawing of a Gentleman from Memory.' In 1799 he published a ' Book of Heads,' satirical por- traits of the leading counsel then at the bar — a work full of character ; and after- wards gained a sort of celebrity by his por- traits and comicalities of this class. He also painted some scenery. He died at Spring Gardens in 1814, aged 62. Some very early caricatures have been attributed
 * DIGHTON, Robert, portrait painter

126

to Richard Dighton, but it seems most probable that the Christian name is an error.

DIGHTON, Denis, battle painter. Son of the foregoing. Was born in London in 1792. He was admitted a student of the Royal Academy, and drew some caricatures in nis father's manner, yet better drawn ; but gaining the notice of the Prince of Wales, the Prince gave him a commission in the 90th Regiment. This he soon resigned and married^ settling in London. He was in 1815 appointed military drafts- man to the Prince, and continuing to study art, found in his Royal Highnessa purchaser for his pictures. He was a constant ex- hibitor at the Royal Academy, where his works attracted notice. Commencing in 1811, he sent one picture annually up to 1825. His works were almost exclusively battles or military subjects. When changes took place at the palace, he lost his access to his royal patron, and the sale of his works, the chief souce of his income, was stopped. This, combined with other mis- fortunes, affected his health, and by de- grees his reason. His wife took him to Brittany, where at St. Servan he was as- sisted from the Artist's Fund till his death there, August 8, 1827. aged 35. There is a ' Death of Nelson ' fey nim in the Bridgewater collection, a clever water- colour drawing ; ' A Cavalry Skirmish ' at the South Kensington Museum ; and a tion. His wife painted fruit and flowers, and between 1824 and 1835 was a frequent exhibitor at the Academy. She was ap- pointed flower painter to the Queen.
 * Battle of Waterloo ' in the Queen's collec-

DIGHTON, W. Edward, landscape painter. He exhibited English scenes at the Royal Academy from 1844 to 1850, and afterwards visited the East. On his return he exhihited, in 1853, ' Ruins of the Tem- ple of Luxor' and * Bethany,' and died in the September of that year. He was a youngartist of promise.

DIaEY, John, sculptor. Born in Dublin. Came to London at an early age, and studied at the Royal Academy. He exhibited there in 1788, and was on the point of leaving for Italy, when prospects, which were opened to him in America, in- duced him to emigrate there in 1789. He assisted greatly to promote art in that country. Resided manv years in New York, and then removed to Pennsylvania on being elected vice-president of the Aca- demy of Fine Arts in that city. He died 1820.

D IXON, Cornelius, architect. Was of some repute. He resided at Pimlico, London, m 1770. He designed the Royalty Theatre in Wellclose Square, which was completed in 1787, and destroyed by fire in 1826.