Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/174



FISHER,, landscape painter. He was born in Dublin, and was originally a draper in that city. Self-taught in art, he was patronised by Lord Portarlington. His works did not go beyond the mechanical imitation of nature, were cold in colour, and wanting in all the higher qualities of art; nor did they enable him to gain a maintenance. This he owed chiefly to a situation in the Stamp Office, Dublin, which he held till his death, in 1812. He published, in 1782, a set of views of the Lake of Killarney, aqua-tinted, from his paintings, by Mazell, and some illustrations of Irish scenery.

FISHER,, mezzo-tint engraver. Born in Ireland in 1730; he was originally apprenticed to the trade of a hatter. He then took to engraving, and was distinguished by his plates, after Reynolds, which were brilliant, and the expression well rendered. Some of his best are Lady Elizabeth Keppel, Lady Sarah Bunbury, and Lord Ligonier. His works are distinguished by great breadth and delicacy of finish. Reynolds said of him that he was 'injudiciously exact,' and wasted as much time in giving the precise shape to every leaf as he bestowed on the features of a portrait. He was a member of the Incorporated Society of Artists, 1766, and resided in London, where he died about 1785.

FISHER,, amateur. Was born at Rochester in 1782, and was a clerk in the India Office. He made numerous drawings of antiquarian and other subjects, which he etched himself. His best known works are his Bedfordshire antiquities, and that from the paintings in the church of Stratford-upon-Avon. He died at Stoke Newington, July 20, 1836.

FISK,, portrait and history painter. He was born 1796-97, at Thorpe-le-Soken, Essex, in which county his family, a long race of yeomen, had possessed some property in land. Educated at Colchester, he came to London at the age of 19, and for 10 years had some mercantile employment. He had always felt a desire towards art, and when past 30 he turned earnestly to its study. He first gained a place on the Academy walls in 1829, and then, and for several years, exhibited portraits; but from 1835, with a higher aim,he exhibited historical works—in 1836, 'The Coronation of Robert the Bruce;' in 1838, 'Lionardo da Vinci expiring in the arms of Francis I.;' in 1839, 'Attempt to Assassinate Lorenzo de Medici,' for which he was awarded, in 1840, the gold medal at the Manchester Exhibition. In 1842 he exhibited 'The Trial of Charles I.;' and in 1843, 'Charles I. on his Way to the Scaffold.' From that time his subjects were of a more domestic character, and he was only an occasional exhibitor; but towards the end of his career he exhibited two or three subjects from Scripture. He purchased some property in Essex, to which he had for some years retired, and died at Banbury, in that county, November 8, 1872. Several of his works are engraved.

FITTLER,, A.E., engraver. He was born 1758, in London, and in 1788 entered the Academy Schools, where he studied his art and attained much distinction. He engraved portraits, landscapes, marine subjects, and topographical views, and was appointed marine engraver to George III. He was employed on the illustrations for Bell's 'Theatre' and Bibdin's 'Ædes Althorpianæ.' His 'Lord Howe's Victory' and 'Battle of the Nile,' both after De Loutherbourg, are his most important works. He published 'Scotia Depicta,' from drawings of Claude Nattes, and an 'Illustrated Bible.' He was elected an associate engraver of the Royal Academy in 1800. He died at Turnham Green, December 2, 1835, aged 79, and was buried in Chiswick Churchyard. He worked in the line manner; was powerful in light and shade, hard and not agreeable in manner.

{{dropinitial| } }} medallists. They were engravers to the Mint in the reign of Edward I. Thomas was styled 'Die graver in fee.'

FITZ-OTTO,, medallist. He is styled 'goldsmith,' and was engraver of the dies for the Royal Mint in the reign of Henry I., having been confirmed to that office, 'the mystery of the dyes,' which his father, in Domesday-book, is described to have held, and which it appears was at that time hereditary.

FLATMAN,, miniature painter. He was the son of a clerk in Chancery, and born in London about 1633. Educated at Winchester School, he went from thence to New College, Oxford, where he was elected 153