Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/182



FRASER,, A.R.S.A., subject painter. He was born in Edinburgh, April 7, 1786, and studied his art under John Graham, at the Trustees' Academy. In 1810 he sent his first picture, 'A Green Stall,' to the Royal Academy, followed by two domestic subjects in 1812; and in 1813 he came to reside in London, and was from time to time an exhibitor; and trusting to his profession for his support, soon gained a fair position. He then engaged as an assistant to Wilkie, R.A., who had been his fellow-pupil in Edinburgh, and for 20 years painted the details and still-life into Wilkie's pictures, working usually in his studio. The engagement did not, however, preclude his painting pictures of his own; he continued to exhibit at the Academy and the British Institution, and at the latter received in 1842 a donation of 50 guineas for the general merit of his works. He was elected an associate of the Royal Scottish Academy. His pictures were chiefly founded on Scottish incidents, and he could scarcely avoid imitating Wilkie, yet his story was well told and his work well painted. For the last 10 years of his life the state of his health prevented him practising his profession. He died at Wood Green, Hornsey, February 15, 1865. His 'Interior of a Highland Cottage' is in the South Kensington Museum. His 'Robinson Crusoe reading the Bible to Friday' has been engraved, as have some of his designs in illustration of the Waverley novels.

FREEBAIRN,, landscape painter. Born in 1765. He was Richard Wilson's last pupil, and on his master's death went to Italy to pursue his studies in landscape art. He continued there for 10 years, studied in Rome 1789-91, and formed his art upon the scenery and effects of the country, returning to London in 1792. He painted in oil. His subjects were almost exclusively Italian, and from 1782 to 1807, he was, with little intermission, an exhibitor at the Royal Academy. He was also a 'fellow exhibitor' in 1806 and 1807 at the then newly-formed Water-Colour Society. His works were carefully and neatly finished, his colour brilliant and pleasing, yet they never reached excellence. They were not numerous, and were chiefly painted on commission. He published, in 40 plates, 'English and Italian Scenery.' He died of decline, in Buckingham Place, New Road, January 23, 1808, aged 42, leaving a widow and four children.

FREEBAIRN,, engraver. He was a student at the Royal Academy. His chief work, which he only just lived to finish, is an engraving from Flaxman's 'Shield of Achilles.' He died suddenly, August 21, 1846, aged 52, and was buried in Highgate Cemetery.

FREEMAN,, history painter. He practised in the latter half of the 17th century, and was a rival of Isaac Fuller. He went early in life to the West Indies, and on his return was much employed. In the latter part of his life he was scene painter to the playhouse in Covent Garden. There are five paintings attributed to him in the gallery of the Louvre.

FREEMAN,, engraver. He practised chiefly in portrait and history. He engraved Corregio's 'Holy Family' and Raphael's 'Madonna,' 'Infant Christ and St. John,' also Vandyck's 'St. Ambrose refusing the Emperor Theodosius admission to the Church,' works of second class merit. He died February 27, 1857, aged 84.

FREESE, N., miniature painter. Artist to the Duke of Cambridge. He exhibited miniatures at the Royal Academy from 1797 to 1813, occasionally contributing a landscape in oil.

FRENCH,, scene painter. Practised towards the end of the 18th century as an antiquarian draftsman and scene painter. He resided chiefly at Bath, and painted the scenery for the Bath Theatre. He died there in September 1803.

FRENCH,, history painter. Born in Ireland. He went to Italy early in the 18th century, and studied many years in Rome, where he gained a medal in the Academy of St. Luke. Returning to England, he painted some historical subjects, but found no encouragement, and went back to Italy. In 1725 he came again to England, but was attacked by illness, and died the following year.

FROST,, amateur. He was born at Barrow (some accounts say Ousden). Suffolk, where his father was a builder. Brought up to this business, he was afterwards employed in the office of the Ipswich Coach, a connection which he continued till within a few years of his death, and in which he gained a competence. He early showed a love of drawing, and without instruction acquired by his own perseverance an artist-like love of nature. He drew picturesque buildings and landscape in a masterly manner, finding his subjects in Ipswich and its neighbourhood. He was an ardent admirer and imitator of Gainsborough, and possessed some good drawings and paintings by him. In a note by Constable, R. A., he speaks of him as 'my dear old friend Frost.' He died at Ipswich, June 28, 1821. aged 77, and was buried in St. Matthews Churchyard. 161