Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/484

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some of his busts having great merit. He died in Piinlico, May 28, 1877, in his 71st year.

WEHNERT, Edward Henry, water- colour painter. Was the son of German parents, who settled in London. His father carried on a large business as a tailor. He was sent to Germany for his education, and was a student at Gottingen. He returned to England at the end of four years, and began the study of art. He first exhibited at Suffolk Street and the British Institu- tion, and then passed two years in Paris, where he acquired a good knowledge of draw- ing, and, after staying some time in Jersey, came back to London in 1837; and he joined the New Society of Painters in Water-Colours in the same year, and was a constant and important contributor to its exhibitions. In 1845 he was a competitor in the Cartoon Exhibition at Westminster HalL About 1858 he went to Italy, but his studies were impeded by ill health. He brought home few sketches. His works were usually subject pictures of large size, well finished, the figures carefully drawn, but the colour unpleasant, and the light and shade weak, and were generally marked by a German feeling and character. He died unmarried in Kentish Town, September 15, 1878, aged 54. An exhibition of his col- lected works was made in the gallery of the Institute of Water-Colour Painters in the following spring.

WELLE R, J., portrait painter. There is in the British Museum a portrait of this artist se ipse pinxit, correctly and carefully drawn in chalk, and dated 1718, aetat. 30.

WELLS, William Frederick, water- colour painter. He was born in London in 1762. At the age of 12 years he became a pupil of Barralet, and under his teaching his first efforts were chiefly in pencil or crayon. It does not appear when he first tried water-colours, but ne was among the first who practised the new art. He exhi- bited at the Royal Academy in 1795, con- tributing Scotch views, and the following year Penmaen Mawr, North Wales. He visited the continent, and in 1804 extended his travels to Norway and Sweden, and made numerous sketches, some of which on his return he painted in oil. In 1804 he was one of the original founders of the Water-Colour Society, and in 1806 the pre- sident, and thenceforth he practised chiefly in that medium. He exhibited with the Society up to 1812, contributing; with some Welsh scenery some views in Norway, and also some views in Oxford and Cambridge. For many years he was a successful teacher in the Metropolis, and had several distin- guished pupils. He was one of the pro- fessors of drawing at Addiscombe Col- lege, an office which he filled for nearly 30 years, and until his death in 1836.

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Several of his drawings have been published in aqua-tint. His daughter, who died in 1872, was an occasional exhibitor.

WELLS, Joanna Mary, subject painter. Her maiden name was Bovce. She had a natural taste for art. and at the age of 18 commenced its study as a profession, and in 1855 exhibited her first work —

She then studied for a time at Paris, and in 1857 spent a year in Italy, and, while at Rome, was married to Mr. Wells, since R. A. Returning to London in the following spring, she exhibited at the Academy 'Peep Bo ! ' * The Heather Gatherer/ and « La Veneziana,' works of much promise ; but she unhappily died in childbed in her 30th year, July 15, 1861.
 * Elgiva,' a head, at the Royal Academy.

WELLS, Thomas, medallist. Was born in London about 1770. He cut a few good likenesses in steel, and also practised as a portrait modeller in wax, exhibiting at the Royal Academy between 1786 and 1791.

portrait painter. Was born October 10, 1738, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, where his father, descended from an old Quaker family of Long Crendon, Bucking- hamshire, had emigrated in 1715. He seems to have been born an artist. Gather- ing as he could his own materials, where none could be purchased, he drew ; when only seven years old, a likenass of his baby sister in her cradle, and earned the fond kisses of his surprised mother. His bent was so decided that, when 16 years of age, his Quaker relatives consented to his follow- ing art— a profession at least doubtful with their sect — and he began to paint portraits, first in his own neighbourhood, and then in New York. Meetmg with encouragement in his art, and assisted by his friends, he determined to visit Europe, and in 1760, when in his 22nd year, ne embarked for Leghorn to study art in Italy. Arrived in Rome, the young painter from the New World, was an object of curiosity and inter- est, and though dazzled by his reception, was no less impressed by the elevated art of the Capitol, as well as of Florence and Bologna, which he afterwards visited, spend- ing three years studying in Italy. He then came to London, arriving in the summer of 1763, provided with good introductions, and preceded by a reputation. In the following year he exhibited a portrait in the great room at Spring Gardens, and, settling down in his art with the intention of remaining in England, he married a young American lady, to whom he had been engaged in Philadelphia, and who was conducted to London by her father. In 1765 he was chosen a member and one of the directors of the Incorporated Society of Artists, and sent his first historical picture— the * Orestes and Pylades ' (now in the National Gallery)
 * WEST, Benjamin, P.R.A., history and

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