Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/369

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1806 ' A Collection of Architectural De- signs for Mansions, Casinos. Villas. Lodges and Cottages in the Greek, Gothic, and Castle Styles.' He exhibited at the Royal Academy designs of this class from 1798 to 1814.

RANKLEY, Alfred, subject painter. He was born in 1819, and was a student in the schools of the Royal Academy. His name first appears in the Academy Cata- logue in 1841. when he exhibited a ' Scene from Macbeth ; ' next, in 1843, contribut- ing a portrait, and from that time he was a constant exnibitor, seldom sending more than one work and never exceeding two. His paintings were generally domestic sub- jects, conscientiously finished, and inculcat- ing some healthful thought. Of some of his best works may be mentioned * The Lonely Hearth,' 1857 ; * The Return of the Prodi-

Sd,' 1858 ; ' The Dav is Done/ 1860 ; 'The rotor's Coming/ 1864 ; * Follow My Lead- er/ 1867. His last exhibited works were ' Following the Trail/ and * The Hearth of his Home/ 1870, with * The Benediction/ 1871. He died at Kensington, December 7, 1872.

RANSOM, Thomas Fbazbr, engraver. Born at Sunderland in 1784, he was appren- ticed to an engraver at Newcastle. In 1814 he received the Society of Arts' medal for an engraved portrait. In 1818 he entered warmly into the controversy then existing as to the prevention of the forgery of Bank of England notes, and was himself tried for having a forged bank-note in his possession, but was acquitted, the jury believing the note to be genuine. In 1821 he gained the Society of Arts' gold medal for a line en- graving, and in 1822 a second gold medal for his engraving from Sir D. Wilkie's
 * Duncan Gray.'

RASTELL, John, wood-engraver, printer, and mathematician. Was greatly reputed in London in the first half of the 16th century. He was brother-in-law of the celebrated Sir Thomas More. He pub- lished, in 1529, with many wood-cute by his own hand, which have been erroneously attributed to Holbein. 'The Pastime of the People, or the Chronicles of Divers Realmes, and more especially of the Realme of Eng- land.' This work was republished by Dibdin in 1811. He died in 1536.

RATHBONE. John, landscape painter. Was born in Cheshire in 1750. Self-in- structed in art, he acquired some proficiency, and practised both in oil and water-colours. He was the boon companion of George Morland, and of Ibbetson, who painted figures into his landscapes, and some others, birds of the same feather. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1785 till his death. His contributions were landscape views, with figures— chiefly lake scenery — with effects of morning and evening ; 348

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storms, wood scenes, with cattle. He died in 1807.

RAT TEE, James, carver- Born at Funden Hall, Norfolk, and educated at the village school He was apprenticed to a carpenter, and nourished an inborn love for the beauties of Gothic carving, in which he displayed great skill and ingenuity. He was associated with A. Welby Pugin in restorations at Cambridge, and G. G. Scott at Ely. In 1852 he travelled for the im- provement of his health, and to gain know- ledge by visiting the great Gothic edifices in Belgium. Cologne, and Hamburgh. On his return, ne was entrusted with the sole charge of constructing the reredos at Ely, composed of highly-chased stone and alabas- ter, and, a martyr to ill-health, he died at Cambridge, from the effects of a cold, March 29, 1855, aged 35. He had shortly before been appointed wood-carver to the Cam- bridge Camden Society, and had erected some extensive works at Cambridge.

RAVEN, John S., landscape painter. Was born in Suffolk, August 21, 1829, and was the son of a clergyman, himself a very clever water-colour painter, as will be seen by some drawings given by him to the South Kensington Museum, and some others ex- hibited at the Grosvenor Gallery Winter Exhibition in 1877. He studied in no school and under no particular, master, though his earlier works shew the in- fluence of the Norwich School His first exhibited picture was ' Salmsley Church ' in 1845, when he was only sixteen years of age. His last contribution to the Royal Academy was ' Barff and Lord's Seat from the slopes of Skiddaw ' in 1877. Among his most important works are * Midsummer, Moonlight, Dew rising,' 1866 : ' A Hamp- shire Homestead,' and ' The Monk's Walk,' 1872 ; * The Lesser Light to rule the Night,' 1873 ; * The Heavens declare the Glory of God,' 1875. The Pre-Raphaelite school seems to have had some influence upon his art work, but led him rather to greater realization of details, than to the ignoring of art. His landscapes were not only of a realistic character, but exhibited a high feeling for the poetical and imaginative m nature, and he always subjected his imita- tion of nature to some preconceived idea of the subject. He was accidentally drowned while bathing. He was painting from a tent on the Sands at Harlech in North Wales, and his wife on going to take him his luncheon, found only his clothes, and was met by some fishermen bearing his lifeless body. This sad event occurred July 14,

1877.

RAVENET, Francois Simon, A.E., engraver. Was born in Paris in 1706. He was a pupil of Le Bas, and attained consider- able reputation. He came to England shortly before 1745, and settled in London, where