Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/488

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portant work was his statue of Addison for Westminster Abbey in 1806, followed by statues, for the same edifice, of Pitt, Fox, and Percival. In 1820 he exhibited his first classic group, 'Hero and Leander;' followed in 1822 by a * Psyche/ and in 1827 by 'Cupid made Prisoner. He executed several statues for Saint Paul's, erected by the State to the memory of the officers engaged in the French revolutionary war, among them those of Sir Ralph Abercrombie and Lord Collingwood. Of his other works, should be distinguished his statue of Lord Erskine, for Lincoln's Inn ; Lord Nelson, for the Liverpool Exchange ; and his Monu- mental group to Warren Hastings. Among bis latest works were the large ornamental group for the pediment of the British Mu- seum Dortico ; his ' Euphrosyne,' a classic group in marble, exhibited in 1837, fol- lowed by two monumental works, the last exhibited in 1839. He was elected an associate of the Royal Academy in 1805, and an academician in 1815. In 1827 he was appointed Professor of Sculpture, and in 1837 received the honour of knighthood. He died in South Audley Street, Septem- ber 1, 1856, aged 81. He will be remem- bered by his many public works. Remark- able for his bold and powerful hand, his figures, if not attaining a high degree of refinement, are never wanting in grandeur of proportions and solidity. He was well versed in Greek art, which he had made his study.

• WESTMACOTT, Richard, R.A., JOX sculptor. Born in London in 1779. He was the son of the foregoing. His early desire was to be brought up for the Bar, but yielding to his father's wishes, he en- tered his studio, and soon showed a talent for art. In 1818 he was admitted to the schools of the Royal Academy, and two years later was sent by his father to pursue his studies in Italy ? where he continued till 1826. The following year, he first appears as an exhibitor at the Academy, sending a simple, graceful statue in marble, of a ' Girl with a Bird' followed in 1829 by ' The Reaper,' both of these works showing the result of careful study. They were fol- lowed by a succession of his nest works, groups in marble. In 1830, * The Guardian Angel,' part of a monument; in 1831, ' Venus carrying off Ascanius ; ' in 1832, 'The Cymbal Player;' in 1833, * Nar- cissus.' These were succeeded by some works in alto-relievo, in which art he ex- celled. In 1834,' The Pttgrim'and 'Hope;' in 1837, ' Mercury presenting Pandora to Prometheus.' and* Wickliffe Preaching ;' in 1838, 'Venus instructing Cupid,' with ' Paolo and Francesca.' In this latter year he was elected an associate of the Royal Academy, and in 1849 a full member. In 1857, he was elected Professor of Sculpture.

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Of his remaining works, his 'Memorial Angel,' 1841, statue of Archbishop Howley in Canterbury Cathedral, and the sculpture for the pediment of the Royal Exchange, must be mentioned. After 1840, his chief works were busts, on which he was largely employed, and monumental sculpture, but he did not exhibit after 1855j and retired from his profession, withdrawing from the Royal Academy about a year before his death, which occurred at Kensington, on April 19, 1872. He was well known as a writer and lecturer on art. He published ' The Handbook of Ancient ana Modern Squlpture,' 1864 ; a pamphlet ' On Colour- ing Statues ;' and contributed some articles to ' The Encyclopedia Metropolitana,' 'The English Encyclopedia,' and 'The Penny Cyclopedia.'

WHEATLEY, Francis, R. A., portrait and landscape painter. Was born in 1747, in Wild Court, Covent Garden, the son of a master tailor, who placed him under an able teacher of drawing. He afterwards studied in Shipley's school, and at the Royal Academy, and dv his early ability carried off several of the Society of Arts' premiums. He was employed in the decoration of Vauxhall, and assisted Mortimer in the ceiling at Brocket Hall, and by persever- ance and the strength of his natural abili- ties, attained considerable skill as a painter. In early life he made many theatrical ac- quaintances, and was led into extravagance and c debt. At this time he became ac- quainted with Mrs. Gresse. the wife of the water-colour painter, and compelled to leave London to avoid his creditors, she tied with him to Dublin. Here he met with much encouragement as a portrait painter, and painted many small whole-lengths, ana the Irish House of Commons, with portraits of the members, some of the first of whom he is said to have rubbed out to give place to others, who like them, but later, had subscribed for the engraving. The work, which was eventually disposed of by a ratfle in Dublin, was then unfinished. He had introduced his companion as his wife, and when the deception was found out he was obliged to leave Dublin, and then returned to London.

He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1771, commencing with portraits, and afterwards sending some rustic and genre subjects, both in oil and water-colour. On his return he painted a large picture of the riots in London in 1780, which was unfor- tunately burnt, but is well known by Heath's fine engraving. He also contributed some good pictures, both to the Shakespeare Gallery and Macklin's Poets' Gallery. He at the same time painted portraits, and his large picture, still in the possession of the family, of ' The Second Duke of Newcastle and a Shooting Party,' the principal figures [2 467

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