Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/424



SMITH,, landscape painter. Younger brother of the foregoing. Was born in 1717. He also painted landscape, but was inferior to his brother. He was a member of the Free Society of Artists. Died at Chichester, July 29, 1764.

SMITH,, portrait and landscape painter. Elder brother of the two foregoing. Was born in Guildford in 1707. He devoted himself chiefly to portraiture, but later he tried landscape, and afterwards fruit and flowers. He was a member of the Free Society of Artists. He died at Shopwich, near Chichester, October 4, 1764.

SMITH, J. Catterson, P.R.H.A., portrait painter. He was born in England, and studied in the schools of the Royal Academy. In 1838-40 he exhibited there one or two portraits, and about ten years later went to Ireland. He first settled in Kerry, and then removing to Dublin, he painted some subject pictures, afterwards settling down as a portrait painter. He was elected a member of the Royal Hibernian Academy, and later the President, and had many sitters in the Irish Metropolis. His portrait of the Queen is in the Dublin Mansion House, of Daniel O'Connell in the City Hall, and of several successive Lords-Lieutenant in the castle. He died in Dublin, May 31, 1872, aged 65.

SMITH,, engraver. Practised about 1730. Among other works, he engraved on one plate portraits of Sir Isaac Newton and Sir Hans Sloane, executed in one continuous spiral line, commencing in the centre, and running to the extremities of the plate.

SMITH,, architect. Practised in Scotland about the end of the 17th century, and was esteemed the most experienced architect of his day in that kingdom. He designed and executed, 1692, Melvin House, which is engraved in Campbell's 'Vitruvius Britannicus.'

SMITH,, sculptor. Was a student in the Royal Academy, and in 1797 gained the gold medal for his group, 'Venus wounded by Diomed.' He was also a successful competitor for the monument in Guildhall to Lord Viscount Nelson, which he executed in 1808. He was employed by Flaxman, R.A., and assisted Mrs. Darner in many of her works. He died in Upper Norton Street, April 28, 1815, in his 44th year.

SMITH,, mezzo-tint engraver. Was born at Daventry, in 1652, and was the son of an engraver. He is said to have served his time under one Tillet, and was afterwards a pupil of Beckett, from whom he learnt the new process of mezzo-tint, in the technical process of which he was further assisted by Vandervaart. His early works attracted the attention of Sir G. Kneller, who took him into his house, employed him in engraving his works, and instructed him in their correct imitation. Here he made great improvement in his art, engraved the chief of Kneller's works, and was esteemed the first engraver of his day, but some time before Kneller's death they disagreed and he left him. He is commonly said to have died in London in 1719, but it has been shown that he was one of the mourners at Kneller's funeral in 1723, and he is supposed to have lived till after 1727, as a portrait by him of George II. bears that date. It has, however, now been ascertained that he died January 17, 1742, at Northampton. There is a tablet to his memory in St. Peter's Church there. His works are very numerous, above 500 have been catalogued. They are chiefly portraits, but he also produced some very fine plates after Correggio, Titian, Paul Veronese, and Maratti. His works united great power with sweetness, finish, and freedom, and are very highly prized by collectors. His portrait, by Kneller, is in the National Gallery.

SMITH, (known as 'Warwick Smith'), water-colour painter. Was born at Irthington, Cumberland, July 26, 1749, and was educated at St. Bees. He was one of the early draftsmen in water-colours; and following Sandby, he advanced the art, giving greater force and colour to his works. He accompanied Lord Warwick to Italy, and hence his designation. Some of his Italian sketches are dated between 1786 and 1795, the earliest mere tinted drawings in the manner of the time, the latter enriched by local colour boldly used. His works are elegant in composition, and have a pleasing freshness of manner. He joined the Water-Colour Society in 1807, continued a member when a large secession took place in 1813, and was President of the Society in 1816. He died in Middlesex Place, Marylebone Road, March 22, 1831, and was buried in the vault under St. George's Chapel, Uxbridge Road.

SMITH,, landscape painter. Was born in London about 1775, and was educated to art. He painted views introducing figures and animals, and also 403