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for several years, and now, approaching his j 50th year, he was prepared to commence a , fresh career with a new art. His inspir- ] ations hitherto had been purely English, now they were of Italy.

He exhibited his works in oil at the Royal Academy, and at once established a reputation by his Italian scenes, "The Tarantella,' and ' The Saint Manufactory.' In 1833 he was elected an associate of the Academy, and, growing in public favour, in 1838 academician. Further honours waited upon his later days. In 1844 he was ap- pointed librarian of the Royal Academy, and in 1845 surveyor of the Queen's pic- tures, followed, in 1847, by the appointment

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of keeper of the National Gallery. Then, his health failing, he resigned the two latter offices, in 1855, and retired to Staines, where he died, aged 75, August 25, 1857, and was buried. His art is well represented in our national collection by his ' Vintage in the Claret Vineyards, south of France,' and 'Le Ohapeau de Brigand,' both of which have been finely engraved ; and also in the Sheepshanks collection at South Kensington by his ' Italian Mother teach- ing her Child the Tarantella,' with some other of his works. His widow published, in two volumes, in 1858, ' Recollections of Thomas Uwins, R.A.'

VANASSEN, Benedictits Antonio, designer and engraver. Practised towards the end of the 18th century as a designer for books, but in a poor weak manner. He exhibited occasionally at the Royal Aca- demy from 1790 to 1803, and there is a full-length portrait of Belzoni the traveller, 1804, which is engraved by him. He drew and etched 'Emblematic Devices;' 48 plates published 1810. He also en- graved Mortimer, the painter, after a pen and ink drawing, 1810, and three nymphs and an infant ^erifieing to Pomona and Ceres ; a good work in the dot manner. He died in London about 1817.

VAN BELKAMP, John, copyist. Was a Dutch artist ; came to England early in Charles L's reign, and was employed under Vanderdoort to make copies of the King's pictures. The copy of Holbein's large picture, the original of which was burnt m the fire at Whitehall, containing a full- length of Henry VII. and Henry VIII., is by nim; also the portraits of several re- markable persons of the reigns of Henry VIII., Elizabeth, James I., and Charles I., the originals of which were dispersed. By a vote of the House of Commons in 1649, he was appointed one of the Trustees for the sale of Charles L's goods. He died is this country, and R. Symonds notes in 1653 that he is said to be lately dead,

VAN BLECK, Peter, mezzo-tint engraver. Born in Flanders; came to England in 1723. His works are neatly finished, and have much merit. He en- graved several theatrical portraits, and some portraits both drawn and engraved by himself, and among them his own por- trait, dated 1735, and those of two then renowned players in the * Alchemist.' He died July 20,' 1764.

VANBRONDEBURGH, Gilbert, die-

engraver. Was appointed graver to the Royal Mint, 9th Henry V., and the ap-

Sintment was continued in the reign of enry VI., when his office was defined as 'Sculptor of the dies of cold and silver within the Tower of London,' where the Mint was then established. • VANBRUGH, Sir John, Knt, archi- tect and dramatist. He was the grandson of a Protestant refugee, whose family had long been merchants of repute in Flanders, and had fled to England. His father settled in Chester, and is said to have acquired wealth there as a sugar baker, and to have married a daughter of Sir Dudley Carleton. Several of his brothers and sisters were born in Chester. With regard to him, however, the accounts are very conflicting; but it seems most pro- bable that his father, who held the office of Controller to the Treasury, settling in London, he was born in the parish of St. Stephen, Walbrook, in the year 1666. Young Vanbrugh was the second of eight sons ? and of a very lively disposition. He received a liberal education, which he finished in France, and then commenced his career with an ensign's commission in the army, which he did not hold lon£. When about nineteen years of age he went again to France, where he remained for several years. He cultivated a taste for the drama, and wrote ' The Relapse,' which was acted with great success in 1697, and was followed by 'The Provoked Wife, played in Lincoln's Inn Fields' Theatre in 1698. and 'The Confederacy,' comedies whicn Walpole erroneously said would en- dure as long as his, the author's, edifices. About this time he must have studied architecture, but under what circumstances he was led to the study does not appear. His talent in this direction must havebeen

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