Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/489

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on horseback, with keepers, dogs, and dead ' game, in a fine wooded background, is an : example of his great ability. For subjects of this class, and for rural subjects gener- , ally, he became very popular. He painted i chiefly in oil, and in a masterly manner, , but he also painted many subjects in water- ■ colours, which are mostly drawn with the ] pen, the shadows washed in with Indian i ink, and the whole slightly tinted. His \ landscapes showed preat taste, his figures were well introduced, but his rustics, espe- cially his females, were meretricious and unreal. The popularity of his works is evidenced by the number engraved. There is a mezzo-tint by him, and an etching dated 1 785. He was elected an associate of the Royal Academy in 1790, and an academi- cian in 1791, and soon after became a pen- sioner of the Academy. Among his last works were his 'Cries of London.' A martyr to the gout, arising from early irregularities, he died from one of its attacks, June 28, 1801, aged 54 years, leav- ing, with four children, a widow who after- wards married again. See Pope, Mrs.

WHESSELL, John, engraver. Prac- tised in London towards the end of the 18th century, and engraved after Serres. Stothard, Gainsborough, Singleton, and others.

WHETTON. Thomas, architect. Was a pupil of Sir William Chambers, and was admitted to the schools of the Royal Aca- demy, where he gained the silver medal for an architectural drawing; and after- wards, in 1774, the gold medal for an original architectural design. Some of his early designs showed great taste and merit He continued to exhibit at the Academy up to 1786, but he was allured from his profession by inheriting an ample property. For many years he resided chiefly at Sun- ning Hill, Berks, and died there on July 18, 1836, in his 83rd year.

WHICHELO, John M., water-colour painter. He chiefly painted marine sub- jects, and the coasts, harbours, and dock- yards of England. He exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1816-17 and 1818, and was at that time marine and landscape

Eainter to the Prince Regent. In 1823 e was elected an 'associate exhibitor' of the Water-Colour Society, and was from that time to 1865 a constant contributor to the Society's exhibitions, sending in 1827 l Portsmouth Naval Arsenal ; ' in 1831 ' Rotterdam Boats passing Dort in a Fresh Breeze;' and later some views on the Rhine and the Scheldt. His last works were chietly from English scenery. He was also engaged in teaching. He died in September, 1865, and his drawings and art property were sold at Christie's in April 1866. WHITAKER, Geobgb, water-colour 468

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painter. His works are chiefly known in Devonshire, where he mostly resided. He died at Dartmouth, September 16, 1874, aged 40.

WHITCOMBE, Thomas, marine painter. Born about 1760. He practised in London, painting sea-pieces, sea-fights, storms, and the ports and harbours of Great Britain, conmimg himself to marine subjects. His vessels were well and accurately drawn, and his subjects of a high class. He was a constant exhibitor from 1783, when he sent 'The Destruction by Night of the Spanish Batteries at Gibraltar,' to 1824. He died soon after 1824.

WHITE, Charles, flower painter. Practised soon after the middle of the 18th century. He died at Chelsea, January 9, 1780.

9 WHITE, Robert, engraver and drafts- man. Was born in London in 1645, and was the pupil of David Loggan. Among his early works are some title-pages and land- scapes, with architecture. But he became distinguished by his portraits, which he en- graved on the copper from the life, and was exceeded by none in this class of art. He was no less celebrated for his portraits drawn in pencil on vellum, which for their accuracy of likeness, correct drawing, and finish, were highly prized. He is described as possessing W ' a wonderful power to take the air of a face.' I\ There are also some few plates in mezzo-tint ] scraped by him. In 1674 he engraved the first Oxford Almanac. Many of the por- traits in Sandf ord's ' Curious Coronation of James II.' are supposed to be by his hand. The heads of Sir Godfrey Kneller and his brother are engraved from drawings by him, and Sir Godfrey painted his portrait in. return. His works were very numerous. •*/ Vertue collected the names of no less than ( 275 portraits by him, all of which are the

Erizes of the antiquary and the art-collector, ywhom they are greedily sought even at extravagant prices. It is said that when he completed a plate he was in the habit of tak- ing off two or three impressions, which he threw into a closet, where they lay in heaps. After forty years' labour he had saved be- tween 40001. and 5000/. ; yet by some mis- fortune or waste he became poor. He resided in Bloomsbury Market, and died in indigent circumstances in 1704.

WHITE, George, engraver and painter. Was born about 1671, and was the son and pupil of the foregoing. He began art as a portrait painter, practising both in oil and in miniature, but his chief works are as an engraver. After the death of his father he finished the plates left incomplete by him ; and afterwards practised chiefly in mezzo-tint, introducing a method of his own, by etching the out- lines of his plate to attain greater precision. He engraved after Lely, Kneller (whom he

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