Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/486

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by some of the greatest artists of our school, James Heath, Sharpe, Woollett, and Hall.

WEST, Raphael Lamar, history painter. Eldest son of the above. Was Dorn in England in 1769. He was a student in the Academy and a good draftsman, but did not apply himself earnestly to art- Leslie, R.A., said 'he had more talent than industry.' He painted * Orlando and Oliver' for the Shakespeare Gallery, and in 1800 visited America, Ibut meeting with no encouragement, he was glad to return in 1802. He drew the figure with anatomical correctness, and in a masterly style. His daughter was often painted by the Presi- dent, and she sat to Leslie for Anne Page, in the picture which he painted of 'The Dinner at Page's House.' He inherited, with his brother, the property left by Presi- dent West. He died at Bushey Heath, May 22, 1850.

WEST, Robert, topographical drafts- man. He drew perspective views of all the ancient churches and other buildings in London and Westminster, which were pub- lished 1736-39.

WEST, Charles, engraver. Born about 1750 in London. He engraved many plates in the dot manner, and also used the needle with the graver. He engraved ' The Silver Age/ after Henry Walton, 1787, 'A Circas- sian Lady/ and ' Diana with her Dogs.'

WEST. Robert, history painter. Was the son of an alderman of Waterford, and was sent early in life to Paris, where he studied under Van Loo, and gained the first medal in the French Academy. He was greatly distinguished as a draftsman, and was for nearly 20 years master of the Dublin Society's Schools, but in consequence of mental infirmity, his place was filled by Ennis. one of his pupils, on whose death in 1770 ne was again appointed, but died a few weeks after his appointment.

WEST, Francis Robert, history

?ainter, son of the above. He studied in aris under Boucher and Van Loo, and acquired a great academic power of draw- ing. In 1770 he succeeded his father as master of the Dublin Society's Schools, and held that office till his death. Remarkable for the accuracy of his drawing, he trained several artists who attained great distinc- tion, and some of his own chalk drawings from the life were esteemed master-pieces. He exhibited in London with the Free Society of Artists, 1774, ' The Adoration of the Shepherds/ a drawing. He did not paint much in oil, and showed little power as a colourist, but he took a high rank in the Irish school. He died in Dublin, January 24, 1809, aged 60. «

WEST, Robert Lucius, R.H.A., his- tory painter. Was the son and grandson of the foregoing. In 1808 he exhibited at the Academy in London, ' A Subject from

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Gray's Elegy.' In 1809 he succeeded his father as Master of the National Academy of Design, and on the incorporation of the Royal Hibernian Academy in 1823, he was chosen one of the first members.

WEST, Samuel, portrait and subject painter. Born in Cork, he came early to London, and soon gained some repute. From 1840 he was an exhihitor at the Royal Academy, chiefly of portraits and portrait groups of children, in which he excelled. In 1841 he sent for exhibition ' Cardinal Wolsey leaving London after his Disgrace/ and the following year, * Charles I. instructed in Drawing by Rubens.' He exhibited portraits, his last contributions in 1866 and 1867. In the latter part of his career he excelled as a copyist of the old master in water-colours.

WEST, William, landscape painter. Was a native of Bristol, where he practised the greater part of his life. He first exhi- bited at the Royal Academy in 1845, send- ing 'The Israelites passing through the Wilderness preceded by the Pillar of Light/ afterwards some Welsh and Norwegian scenery. In his early career he painted many views in Norway. Later he found his subjects in the rocky coast of Devon- shire and the hill scenery of Wales. His works were close imitations of nature, with little attempt at art. He was in 1851 elected a member of the Society of British Artists, and was a large contributor to the Societ/s exhibitions. In the last few years of his life he resided at .Chelsea, where he died in January 1861, in the 60th year of his age.

WE ST ALL, Richard, R.A., subject painter. Was of a Norwich family, and was born at Hertford in 1765, and appren- ticed to an engraver on silver in London in 1779. But he had abilities for higher work, and, studying to improve himself after the hours of labour, he exhibited in 1784 a portrait in chalk at the Royal Academy, and was in 1785 admitted to the Academy schools, and the following year, on the com- pletion of his apprenticeship, commencing his career as an artist, he joined Lawrence, a fellow-student, and the future President, in a house in Soho Square. He exhibited largely designs for book-illustration, with occasionally a few portraits, and first at- tracted notice by his designs in water- colour, in which medium he executed some well -finished historical subjects: 'Esau seeking Isaac's Blessing/ * Mary Queen of Scots going to her Execution, * Sappho/ rich and full of colour, and of great beauty in execution. His art had naturally led him to book-illustration, in which he found his true place, and gained much employ- ment; but he exhibited pictures in oil, chiefly domestic or rural subjects, his largest contributions being, however, his designs in hh 465