Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/472

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Annuals. He died when beginning to make himself known, January 12, 1837. His works were sold in the following February at Messrs Christie's.

VILLIERS, Francois Htjet, miniature painter. Born in Paris. Son of an animal painter. He took refuge in this country on the breaking out of the French Revo- lution, and settled here in the practice of his art. He painted chiefly portraits, but also landscapes and animals, and was, in 1808, a member of the Associated Artists in Water-Colours. His portraits were in miniature, on ivory, and in chalk and oil. He made some drawings of Westminster Abbey, which were published, as was also his Drawing Book for cattle and trees. He held the appointment of painter to the King of France, and was appointed minia- ture painter to the Duchess of York, and was a constant exhibitor at the Academy from 1804 to 1813, contributing miniatures — some of them on marble — animals, and studies from nature. He was a respectable artist, his portraits well finished, and effec- tive in colour, but stiff and graceless. He found good employment in his versatile practice. He died in Great Marlborough Street, July 28, 1813, aged 41, and was buried in St. Pancras old churchyard.

VINCENT, W.. engraver. Practised in London towards the end of the 17th cen- tury. Engraved mezzo-tint portrait heads ana history, and some plates after his own drawings. His works are much esteemed. VINCENT, George, landscape and marine painter. Was born at Norwich in June 1796, and was educated in the gram- mar school of that city. He was a pupil of old Crome, and his name first appears as a contributor to the Norwich exhibition in 181 1. The next year he sent two pictures, and in 1814 no less than 15, and the same year, and up to 1823. was an occasional exhibitor at the Royal Academy, sending also one or two works to the Water- Colour Exhibition. In 1817, and the following year, he was an exhibitor in London at the British Institution, and then, leaving Nor- wich, be settled in London in 1819. In 1820, when the Society's exhibitions were open to others than members, he exhibited with the Water-Colour Society, 'London from the Surrey Side of Waterloo Bridge/ a fine work in oil ; and in 1824, on the foundation of the Suffolk Street Gallery, exhibited there, and continued to do so up to 1830, after which his name does not appear. On a commission from Mr. Car- penter, of the British Museum, he painted his best work, ' A View of Greenwich Hos- pital/ which was exhibited at the Interna- tional Exhibition in 1862. He had married and fitted up a good house in Kentish Town, but he fell into bad habits, followed by derjts and difficulties ; his pictures were

to be seen in dealers' windows, and became more slight and less studied ; he was lost sight of, and the date of his death is uncer- tain, but it is supposed that it occurred about 1831. His l Greenwich Hospital'

fives him high rank as an artist. The ospital is seen from the river at full tide, crowded with craft and shipping, the sun in the picture obscured by the vessels, and the light dispersed, the sky pearly and luminous. In his latter pictures he painted subjects as seen under the sun, using large masses of greyish shadow, tipped and fringed with the solar rays. He did not frequently introduce trees or foliage as his principal objects. He had powers, which show ne might have rivalled the great landscape painters of his day.

VIOLET, Pierre, miniature painter. Was a native of France, where he attained much reputation, and was miniature painter to Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette. On their execution, in 1793, he came to Lon- don, and settled here in the practice of his art. He exhibited occasionally at the Royal Academy ; among other works, a portrait of the Prince of Wales, and con- tinued an exhibitor up to 1819. He also gave lessons in water-colour drawing. A likeness of Bartolozzi by him is engraved. He wrote an introduction to miniature painting. He died in London, in his 71st year, December 9, 1819.

VISPRE, Victor, miniature painter. Was born in France. Towards the end of the 18th century he was residing in Dublin, in the practice of his art. He sent from thence to the Spring Gardens' exhibitions, 1770-78, small fife portraits. He also exe- cuted small crayon portraits, among which may be mentioned those of Garrick and his wife. His brother, Francis Zaverius Vispr£, practised in Dublin at the same time, painting fruit pieces in oil and on glass, and also exhibited at the Spring Gardens' Rooms.

VI VARES, Francis, landscape engraver and draftsman. Was born near Mont- pelier, France, July 11, 1709, and contrary to his will, was appenticed to a tailor. He was, however, fond of drawing, and prac- tised it. He etched some landscapes, which he finished with the graver, and early in life — it does not appear on what induce- ment — he came to London, arriving here at the age of 18. He attracted the notice of Chatelain, who befriended him, and took him as his pupil. He studied, with such help, both drawing and engraving, soon made his way to distinction, and became the founder of a school of landscape en- gravers. In 1766 he was a member of the Incorporated Society of Artists. His line is good, his light and shade well preserved, and his figures well drawn. He published 'A New Book of Shields.' He engraved 62 451