Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/235

 HOA

HOD

HOARE, in the time

of

^aver. He practised Jharles I. He engraved

some of the sketches made in Italy by Mr. Evelyn, and was of some repute.

HOBDAY, William Armfield, mini- ature and portrait painter. He was born in 1771, at Birmingham, where his father had realised a good property in manufac- ture. An earlv talent for drawing was encouraged, and he was placed under an engraver ; out he did not like the art, and left his master in the sixth year of his time, and at once commenced painting small portraits in water-colours and miniatures, which he exhibited at the Academy in 1794-95-96. He came to London, and though he met with good encouragement, and added considerably to the allowance made to him by his father, yet he rushed into society and expense, to the neglect of his art, and in his falling fortunes mar- ried, and increased in extravagance. He went yearly to Bristol and to Bath, where he found much employment, and eventually, about 1802 ; settled at Bristol, where he painted during 14 years, was well supported, and made large gains. But in 1818 he returned penniless to London, and took a large house. His art could not. however, maintain his extravagance ; he sold pictures by commission, and engaged in other specu- lations, finishing by bankruptcy in 1829 ; but his property did not realise a divi- dend, and, ruined in fortune and in spirit, he died February 17, 1831. He painted many portraits and portrait-groups of large size, and some subject pictures, and he re- ceived large prices for his pictures. Several of his works are engraved.

HODGES, Charles Howard, portrait painter. Born in England in 1774. He

fassed the greater portion of his life in lolland, ana did Dot exhibit his works at the London Exhibitions. His portraits were life-like, well-drawn, and possessed much merit in tone and colour. He was also a good mezzo-tintist, and imitated Reynolds with great tenderness and expression. He produced some clever plates, vigorously treated, after the Dutch masters. He died at Amsterdam in 1837, aged 63.

HODGES, John, engraver. He was a mezzo-tint engraver, and excelled in that art. His best plates are after Sir Joshua Reynolds's * Beggar Boy, Boy with a book/ 1794; and 'Hercules strangling the Ser- pents.' He died in August 1802. 4 HODGES, William, R.A., landscape painter. Born in London 1744, the son of a blacksmith, who kept a small shop in Clare Market. He gained some instruc- tion in Shipley's drawing school, where he was originally employed as errand boy, and was noticed by R. Wilson, R. A., who took him to be his assistant and pupil. He made rapid progress, and quitting his 214

master he found some employment as scene painter to the theatre at Derby ? where he continued some time. He exhibited at the Spring Gardens Rooms in 1770 and 1772, and in the latter year was appointed the draftsman to Captain Cook's second expe- dition ; returning after three years' absence, he was engaged bv the Admiralty in com- pleting his drawings and superintending their engraving. In 1776 he first exhibited at the Roval Academy, and then and in the two following years sent views in Ota- heite and New Zealand, with some English views. About this time he married, but losing his young wife he was induced to go to India under the patronage of Governor Hastings. Here he acquired some money, and in 1784, on his return, he exhibited views in India, to some oi which Gilpin added the animals. He also married a second time, and again, after a few months, losing his wife, he married a third time.

In 1786 he was elected an associate, and the following year a full member, of the Royal Academy. He made a tour on the Continent in 1790, collected some sketches on the Rhine, and also visited St. Peters- burg. When the Pantheon was converted into a theatre for operas, on the destruction of the Opera House by fire, he was ap- pointed the scene painter, but did not show much ability for tnis art. His works are mostly from nature ; with some appearance of power, they are loose and unsatisfactory in their execution, and monotonous in colour. His best productions are the views he brought from India, and a view of Windsor from the Great Park. He painted several subjects for Boydell's 'Shakespeare,' but they are mere landscapes, with Shake- speare incidents introduced. Two of bis pictures of this class — 'The Effects of Peace and War,' are in the Soane Museum. He continued to exhibit many works up to 1794, when his contributions to the Aca- demy ceased. He published four views of India, engraved by different artists ; a col- lection of views in India, in great part aqua-tinted by himself ; and his travels in India, illustrated by his drawings. A col- lection of 25 of his paintings were exhibited in Bond Street, which did not meet with support, and on its close he retired from the profession. His works were then sold by auction, but produced only an incon- siderable sum.

He endeavoured to retrieve his fortune, which had become impaired, it was said by his publications, by establishing a bank at Dartmouth, where he settled m 1795, but completely ruined himself in this under- taking. His losses impaired his health, and he died at Brixham, February 27, 1797, leaving a wife and family without any provision.

HODGINS, Henry, scene painter.

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