Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/497

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published in 1754 a dry translation of I)u Fresnoy's ' Art of Painting.'

WILLSON, Thomas, architect. Studied in the schools of the Royal Academy, and in 1801 gained the gold medal for his design for a ' National Edifice.' In the same year he exhibited at the Academy ' The Palace of Dido ; ' in 1804 ' Entrance Front, Bank of Ireland/ and does not appear again till 1814, when he exhibited * West Elevation for a Royal Palace, designed for an Illus- trious Personage/ and in the following two years 'A National Mausoleum, to commemorate British Naval and Military Heroism,' with a section of his design. In 1819 he designed a * Wellington Pillar ;' in 1824 a 'Marine Villa for Cape Town ; ' and in 1831 'The Pyramid Cemetery for the Metropolis/ and from that time there are no traces of him.

WILLSON, Edward James, architect. He was born at Lincoln, where his father was a respectable builder, June 21, 1787. He held the appointment of county archi- tect, but his reputation rests only upon his writings in connexion with the works on mediaeval Gothic architecture, by John Britton and Augustus Pugin. He died in Lincoln, SeptemDer 8, 1854.

WILSON, Andrew, landscape painter. Was born in Edinburgh in 1780, of a re- spectable family of Jacobite opinions, and at an early age was a pupil of Alexander Nasmyth. In his 17th year he came to London and studied at the Royal Aca- demy, but after a short time started for. Italy, and with some difficulty landed at Leghorn, making his way to Rome, and subsequently Naples, where he became ac- quainted with two well-known collectors, and studying the great works of the Italian masters, gained a knowledge of the distinc- tive characters of their art. He returned to London in 1803, but was soon after in- duced to re-visit Italy, for the purpose of purchasing works of the old masters, a task of some hazard, owing to the recurrence of the war. He arrived at Genoa in 1803, and, under the protection of the American consul, made tnat capital his chief resi- dence, and was successful in purchasing 54 pictures, many of them of a high character. He came back through Germany, reaching home in 1806, and, devoting himself to landscape in water-colours, was in 1808 a member of the short-lived Society of Ar- tists in Water-Colours, and a frequent ex- hibitor at the Royal Academy. In 1808 he married, and soon after obtained an ap- pointment as one of the teachers of draw- ing in the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, but resigned this office in 1818, and returned to Edinburgh as master of the Trustees' School. Here he brought up several pupils who attained distinction, and was a constant exhibitor to the Edinburgh 476

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exhibitions, sending also some works to the Roval Academy in London. He made the collection of engravings for the trustees of the Royal Institution, which is now shown in their galleries. But his restless attach- ment to Italy and a small accession of for- tune led him again to that country, for which, with his wife and family, he set off in 1826, and living alternately at Rome, Florence, and Genoa, passed there the next twenty years. During this time he painted many fine pictures, only a few of which found their way to our exhibitions ; was much consulted by the buyers of works of art, and made many good purchases himself. In 1847, anxious to re-visit his native country, he left Genoa for London, and after a few months' residence went to Edinburgh, and here, whilst preparing to return to his family in Italy, he was struck with paralysis, and died on November 27, 1848. His compositions, mostly Italian, were pleasing ; simply painted, without the use of body colour. They were carefully finished ; his distances tender, and the whole work marked by much refinement.

WILSON, Benjamin, portrait painter. Was born in 1721, at Leeds, wnere his father ranked as one of the first clothiers, but afterwards fell into decay. He came to London early in life, was for some years in a very poor condition, and then gaining employment as a clerk, found means to pur- sue a love of art. He is said not to nave received any instruction, but appears to have had some help from Hudson. By his perseverance and ability, he made himself known in art, and became the friend of Hogarth, Hudson, Lambert, and others of the leading painters. In the spring of 1748, he went to Ireland, to paint some com- missioned portraits, and found employment there till 1750, when he returned to Lon- don, and established himself in Great Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields. Here he painted many eminent persons, became fashionable, and is reputed to have made 15001. a year by his art. Zoffany assisted him as his drapery painter. At the same time, he applied himself to science, and in 1746, and 1750, published treatises on electricity. He contrived and exhibited a large electrical apparatus, and in 1756 he was elected F.R.S., and printed his 'Ex- periments and Observations on Electricity.' He had also studied chemistry. He was versatile in his talents. He took part in a private theatre, and was both manager and prompter, and by this means he became known to the Duke of York, who appointed him about 1773, painter to the Board of Ordnance, reputed to have been a lucrative office. In 1760, and 1761, he exhibited portraits in the Spring Gardens' Rooms. He succeeded Hogarth as sergeant painter, and in 1776 had the honour of exhibiting