Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/338

 OPI

OTT

great series of Shakespeare illustrations, to which he contributed five pictures, increas- ing in power in the progress of the work. On their completion ne had again to rely more on portraiture for his chief means of support ; and availing himself of some introductions at Norwich, he met there the clever Amelia Alderson, who became his second wife, and in her memoir of him tells of the painful struggles, and the persever- ance with which he strove to gain a com- Eetence ; and that, stimulated to efforts eyond his strength, taking no rest, a disease affecting the brain ensued. He died April 9, 1807, and was buried with some pomp in St. Paul's Cathedral.

He was a man of great natural intellect- ual powers, and early devoted himself to suppl v the defects of luVeducation. Literary men, highly qualified to judge, were greatly impressed with his knowledge and power of thinking and expressing himself in con- versation. His first work was a * Memoir of Reynolds,' in Watkin's edition of Pilking- ton. He then published a letter on the ' Cultivation of the Arts of Design in Eng- land.' He delivered four lectures on Art at the Royal Institution, and on his election in 1805 as Professor of Painting at the Royal Academy he lectured on design, invention, chiaro-scuro, and colour. These four lectures were published after his death, with a memoir, by his widow, who enjoyed a high literary reputation. As an artist his works prove his great genius and ori- ginal powers. His 'David Rizzio ' is full of vigour and freshness, though coarse and slovenly in execution, and marred by many faults. Later his compositions were more simple, his light and shade better under- stood, and his works have a vigorous and manly strength which contrasts with the feeble inanities of many of his contem-

Eoraries. He had no feeling for female eauty. His forte was the grand and terrible.

OPIE, or Oppey, portrait painter. He was born in Cornwall, and of humble origin, but is believed not to have been any connexion of the foregoing John Opie. He was self-taught. He exhibited with the Incorporated Society of Artists in 1780, and is described 'Master Oppey, Penryn — a boy's head, an instance of genius, not having seen a picture.' His work was stated at the time to have been good both for colour and expression, and he attracted some notice, but ne died young in Maryle- bone, November 25, 1785.

ORAM, William, called 'Old Oram,' landscape painter. Was educated as an architect, but took to landscape painting, and practised in the manner of Wootton, towards the middle of the 18th century. In those sterile days he was of some dis- tinction. Sir Edward Walpole had several

of his drawings and paintings, and by his influence he was appointed Surveyor of the Board of Works, and, in 1748, Master Carpenter of all his Majesty's Works. He was much employed in the decoration of halls, staircases, and the panels over chimney pieces, as was then the fashion.

ORAM, Edward, landscape painter. Son of the above. lie was an assistant to De Loutherbourg, and practised in London in the last half of the 18th century. He designed a triumphal arch (which was en- graved) for the coronation of George III., and the scenery for the Well-close Square Theatre. In 1766 he exhibited with the Incorporated Society of Artists, and for the first time at the Academy in 1775, and then and in succeeding years contributed small landscapes, views, and morning and evening effects up to 1790, and again in 1798-99, after which his name no longer appears in the catalogues. He published, in 1810, ' Precepts and Practice on the Art of Colouring in Landscape Painting,' with plates.

ORCHYERDE, William, architect. Was the architect oi the extensive build- ings of Magdalen College ? Oxford, 1473- 1485, under the direction of Bishop Waynfleet. the founder.

ORDE, Thomas, amateur. Born in 1746. When an undergraduate at Cam- bridge he etched some caricatures — 'A Cambridge Concert,' and some Cambridge characters. He also etched some family

Eortraits. There is a burlesque of Voltaire y him signed l T. O., fecit. 1772.' He assumed the name of Powlett in addition to Orde in 1795. He was secretary to the Duke of Rutland when Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and was created Baron Bolton in 1797. He died July 30, 1807, in his 61st year.

OREWELL, John, medallist He held the office of graver to the Royal Mint from the 10th to the 19th, Henry VI.

ORME, Daniel, engraver and minia- ture painter. Practised in London about the end of the 18th century. Commencing in 1797, he exhibited many miniature por- traits, with one or two in oil, at the Aca- demy, his last contribution being in 1801. He engraved in the dot manner portraits of the chief heroes of the time, with some battle-pieces, and from a picture painted by himself, ' Alexander the Great and tfhais/

OSBORN, John, portrait painter. A n English artist of the 17th century, who practised at Amsterdam. There is a por- trait by him of Frederick Prince of Orange.

OTTLEY, William Young, amateur. Born at Thatcham near Newbury, August 6, 1771. Son of an officer in the Guards. From his love of art he became a pupil of Cuitt, studied in the Academy Schools,