Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/275

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L ABE LYE, Charles, architect. Was a native of Switzerland, and naturalised in England. He is said to have first gained his living as a barber. He had no less a great skill in geometry and architecture, and was for a time employed by Hawksmoor, the architect. He Wilt Westminster Bridge, upon which he was occupied from 1739 to 1747. In 1744 he planned a harbour between Sandwich Town and Sandown Castle, a scheme which was brought under the consideration of Parliament. He afterwards retired to France for his health, and died at Paris, February 18, 1762. He published an account of the method he used in laving the foundations of the bridge.

LACON,, portrait painter. He painted water-colour portraits, and set up a puppet-show at Bath, which was much the lasnion. He died about 1757.

LADBROOKE, Robert, landscape painter. Was apprenticed to a printer, but turned to art, which he began by painting portraits at 5*. each. He lived at Norwich, was early associated with old Orome, and the two painters married sisters. He was a member of the Norwich Society of Artists from its foundation in 1805, ana a contributor to its exhibitions, his works comprising the picturesque localities in Norwich, ana views in North Wales. Between 1809 and 1816 he exhibited several landscapes in oil at the Royal Academy. He gained a small competence, and died at Norwich, October 11. 1842, in his 73rd year, leaving sons who followed the arts.

LADBROOKE, Henby, landscape painter. Second son of the above. He was born at Norwich, April 20, 1800. He was well educated and intended for the Church, but at the desire of his father he reluctantly turned his energies to the study of art, to which by degrees he became attached, and pursued with unflagging energy. He painted landscape with great truth to nature, quiet in harmony of colour. He excelled in his moonlight scenes, and enjoyed a local reputation, but does not appear to have exhibited at the Royal Academy. He died November 18, 1870. His brothers, E. Ladbrooke and J. B. Ladbrooke, exhibited landscape views at the Academy on one or two occasions, about the year 1820.

LADD, Anne. Painted portraits and fruit-pieces. She died unmarried, of smallpox, m London, February 3, 1770, aged 24.

LAGUERRE, Louis (called < Old Laguerre'), history painter. Born in 1663, at Paris, where his father was master of the 254 Royal Menagerie. He was godson of Louis XIY. and intended for the Church, but having an impediment in his speech, was allowed to follow the bent of his own inclination, and was placed under Le Brun, with whom he studied art for some time, as also in the academy at Paris. In 1683 he came to England, and was engaged by Verrio, for whom he painted a large part of the work Verrio was then engaged upon at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. He soon rose into great esteem, and was employed on his own account to decorate the halls, staircases, and ceilings of many fine mansions. King William gave him lodgings at Hampton Court, where he painted the ' Labours of Hercules,' and injured by his repairs Mantegna's great work, ' The Triumph of Caesar. He also painted the ceilings and staircases at Burghley; Devonshire House, London; Petworth; Marlborough House, St James's; Whitton; and others. He was chosen by the Commissioners for repairing St. Paul s to decorate the interior of the cupola, but was set aside by the influence of Thornhill. Queen Anne commissioned him to design tapestry in commemoration of the Union, and he made the drawings, but the intention was carried no further. In 1711 he was elected the director of an academy of painting, then established in London. There is an etching by him of ' Midas sitting in Judgment between Pan and Apollo.' He died suddenly in Drury Lane Theatre, where he had gone to be present at his son's benefit, April 20, 1721, and was buried in St. Martin's Churchyard. As an artist he must take high rank with his cotemporaries. His compositions are good, his drawing vigorous; nis tone of colour subdued, but pleasing. His large works on the staircase of Marlborough House, which have just been released from the coats of paint under which they have so long been hidden, are proofs of his great ability.

LAGUERRE, John (called ' Jack Laguerre '), decorative painter. Was the son of the above. He was born in London, and educated as an artist under his father. He worked for a time for Hogarth, but having a good voice he tried the stage. He was engaged as a singer both at Lincoln's Inn Fields and Covent Garden Theatres, and he also painted some of the scenes. He assisted Verrio in the plafonds at Windsor Castle. He engraved some plates himself, and published a set of plates from the farce of * Hob in the Well,' which, though indifferently executed, had a large sale. He wanted application, not talent. He was a know-