Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/196

 GIF

the latter he waa placed under Alexander Kasmyth, and at the same time studied in the Trustees' Academy. He also extended his studies to architecture, mathematics, and other branches of knowledge connected with the fine arts. By these acquirements he fitted himself for a critic and writer on art, and came to London early in his career for further improvement. In 1805 and the two following years he exhibited land- scape views at the Academy. He contri- buted to the ' Encyclopaedia Edinensis ' an article on ' Design, and to the * Edinburgh Encyclopaedia' the articles * Drawing,' ' En- graving,* and ' Miniature Painting.' For the 'Edinburgh Annual Register,' 1816, he wrote a ' View of the present State of the Art of Design in Britain,' and after- wards for the 'New Edinburgh Review' an article 'On the Progress of the Fine Arts -in Scotland.' In 1818 he published 'Etchings of select Views in Edinburgh,' with letter-press descriptions ; and in 1822 a remarkable jeu d? esprit on the works of the artists then exhibiting in Edinburgh, but the publication was anonymous, and he remained silent under the indignant remarks of his brother artists. In 1824 he left Edinburgh, accepting the office of teacher at Dollar. He found this sphere a very narrow one, but he remained there till his death, after three years' illness, on Auenist 26, 1829, in his 46th year. His landscapes were chiefly compositions intro- ducing architecture, and much in the style of the early masters.

GIF FORD, George, engraver. He practised about 1640, and engraved, chiefly ior the booksellers, small portrait heads, which have little merit.

GILBERT, John Graham, R.S.A., portrait painter. Born at Glasgow in 1794, he was the son of a West India mer- chant, and was for a time placed in his fathers counting-house, but was determined to be an artist. In 1818 he came to Lon- don, and was admitted into the schools of the Royal Academy, where in 1821 he gained the gold medal for his original painting of ' The Prodigal Son.' He after- wards travelled in Italy, where during two years he pursued his studies of the old masters, especially of the Venetian school. On his return he practised portrait painting in London, and was an exhibitor at the Academy. In 1827 he went to reside in Edinburgh, where he was very successful, had many sitters, and in 1833 was elected a member of the Scottish Academy. In 1834 he married and settled in Glasgow, adding the name of Gilbert to his paternal name of Graham, which he had borne hitherto. Possessed of ample means he continued the practice of his art, and in 1843 renewed his contributions to the Academy Exhibitions in London, sending

GIL

in that year 'The Pear-tree Well/ a ro- mantic well near Glasgow, with a portrait; in 1845, * Females at a Fountain ;' in 1846, 'Christ in the Garden;' in 1853, 'The Young Mother,' with occasionally a j>or- trait up to 18(>4, when 'A Roman Girl' was his last contribution. His fine portrait of Sir J. Watson Gordon, P.R.S.A., is in the National Gallery of Scotland. He died at Glasgow, June 5, 18WJ. He was greatly distinguished as a portrait painter; his drawing good, the pose of his figure natural, and the expression characteristic ; his colour rich but sober, his backgrounds simple, and the whole carefully and con- scientiously finished.

GILBERT, Joseph Francis, landscape painter. Born 1792. In the midst of many family difficulties, he took up art and was an occasional exhibitor at the Royal Academy and the British Institution. He resided for many years at Chichester. Several of his early works were engraved — his ' Goodwood Racecourse,' ' Priam win- ning the Gold Cup,' and 'View of the Ruins of Cowdray.' He was a competitor at the Westminster Hall Exhibition. He died September 25, 18.35, in his 64th year.

GILES, James William, R.S.A., land- scape painter. He was born in 1801, at Glasgow, and in his boyhood was taught by his father, who was an artist. He early settled in Aberdeen and devoted himself with much success to portraiture. At the commencement of his career he passed a short time in Italy, and then painted chiefly landscape. In 1830 he was chosen a mem- ber of the Scotch Academy, and in that and the following year sent for exhibition at the Royal Academy in London 'The Errand Boy ' and some landscapes, and on some other occasions ; at long intervals, was an exhibitor. He is best known by his ' Highland Scenery,' in which sporting sub- jects are prominently introduced ; and, a keen angler, the result of a good day's sport often proved a tempting subject. He lived principally at Aberdeen, where he died October 6, 1870.

GILL, Charles, 'portrait painter. Son of a pastry-cook at Bath. In 1749 he be- came a pupil of Reynolds. P.R.A. He exhibitea portraits at the Royal Academy in 1772, two in 1774, a whole-length ana two others in 1775, but does not appear again as an exhibitor. He suffered an injury to the leg, which deprived him of the use of the limb.

• GILLRAY, James, caricaturist. His father was born in 1720, in Lanarkshire, entered the army, lost an arm at Fontenoy, and was for many years an out-pensioner of Chelsea Hospital. He was born about 1757, and was apprenticed to an heraldic engraver on plate, but ran away and joined a company of strolling players. Disgusted

175