Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/148

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DIXON,John, miniature and crayon painter. He was a pupil of .Lely, and painted in water-colour with much skill nymphs, satyrs, cupids, and pictorial sub- jects. A great number of these works exist. He painted chiefly in miniature, and also drew in crayons. He was appointed by William III. 'keeper of the king's picture closet.' In 1698 ne was concerned in a bubble lottery, which turned out ill ; he fell into debt ana retired to a small property near Bungay, where he died in 1715. - DIXON ; John, mezzo-tint engraver. Was born in Dublin about 1740, and came to London in early life, but not till he had dissipated a small patrimony. Originally a silver engraver, he studied under West in Dublin, and was well grounded in anatomy, and sketched and drew with cor- rectness. He was a member of the Incor- porated Society of Artists in 1766, and was early distinguished. Some of his best mezzo- tint portraits date soon after 1770, and are excellent in their execution and artist-like in their treatment ; brilliant, but occasionally rather black. His most numerous and best works are after Reynolds, and have never been excelled ; but he also engraved after Gainsborough, Zoffany, Stubbs, Dance, and others. He was a "handsome man, and married a young lady of ample fortune, with an understanding that he should only thenceforth follow his profession as an amusement, to which he was unfortunately only too well disposed. He retired to Rane- lagh, kept his carriage, and entertained his friends. He afterwards removed to Ken- sington, where he died in 1780.

DIXON, Robert, landscape painter. Published, in 1810-11, 'Norfolk Scenery,' comprising36 views drawn and etched by himself. He was also an exhibitor at the Norwich Exhibitions— re-appearing, after some lapse, in 1818. His subjects were varied — compositions, landscapes, architec- ture, rural scenes, cottage-doors— and his manner had some resemblance to Westall, R.A.

DOBBS, Arthur, architect. He was appointed, in 1733. surveyor-general in Ireland, and completed the Parliament House, which had oeen commenced by his predecessor in that office.

DOBSON, Alexander R., architect. Was the son of an architect in Newcastle- on-Tyne, and was brought up in his father's office. At the age of 21 he came to Lon- don, and studied under Mr. Sidney Smirke. In 1852 he returned to Newcastle, where he lost his life in attempting to save the fives of others from fire. He died in his 2t th year, on October 6, 1854 He was favourably known in his profession by some clever drawings, and was a member of the Institute of British Architects.
 * 1) DOBSON, William, portrait painter.

DOB

Was born in St. Andrew's parish, Holborn, 1610. His father was a gentleman of some consideration at St. Alban's, who, having squandered his estate, was appointed master of the Alienation Office, probably by Lord Bacon, who was his friend. Necessity made the son a painter. He was apprenticed to Sir Robert Peake, and soon gave proofs of his genius in portraiture. He also had some instructions from Francis Cleyn. He ap- pears to have worked in obscurity till Vandyck chanced to see his work, gener- ously befriended him, and introduced him to Charles I., with whom he found favour. On the death of Vandyck he was appointed the king's serjeant-painter and zroom of the Privy Chamber. He followed the Court to Oxford, and painted there the King's portrait, the Prince of Wales's, also Prince Rupert's, but the decline of the royal cause and the disordered state of the country were a bar to his fortunes. At Lord Craven's, Coombe Abbey, there is a portrait of Charles II. by him; at Mr. Howard's, Gatton, a portrait of Milton ; at Wilton, a large work, the ' Beheading of St. John ; ' at Hampton Court, a portrait-group of him- self and his wife. His best works are care- fully drawn and painted, though his colour is sometimes hot and crude, his hands very good, expression weak, drapery well studied, and altogether his portraits are life-like and characteristic. Sir Joshua Reynolds bestowed much praise upon his works. Dobson was careless to avail nimself of his opportunities of saving money. He was a man of ready wit and pleasing con- versation, but of a loose and irregular way of living, and when the impending unhappy times came to a climax he was in debt. Eventually he was thrown into prison, and when released by a friend, he enjoyed his freedom only a short time. He died in poverty at the age of 36, on October 28, 1646, and was buried at St. Martin's Church.

DOBSON, John, architect. Was born at Chirton, North Shields, December 9, 1787, and was articled to a builder at Newcastle. He afterwards studied for a time under John Varley, and commencing practice in Newcastle, was the only architect then in the county. He soon gained employment, and in the intervals of his labour travelled in England and France. He erected several fine mansions and some churches in his locality, and gradually extended his practice to the neighbouring counties. His works showed good constructive ability, and he was employed upon some of the railway works in Newcastle. The Central Rail- way Station there is perhaps one of his most important erections, and the design, exhibited in Paris in 1855, gained him a ' medaille d'honneur. ' He died in January 1865.

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