Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/55

 BE A

Oxford. In 1782 he travelled and; visited France, Switzerland, and Italy. In 1790 he entered Parliament. His tastes were early devoted to the arts, and he gained distinction as an amateur painter. He enjoyed the friendship of Sir Joshua| Reynolds and other distinguished artists,', and ruled in the fashionable world as the leader of taste. He was a frequent honor- ary exhibitor, at the Royal Academy, of landscapes, wnich did not surpass respect- ability in manner. He died February 7', 1827, and left by his will 16 pictures — among them some fine works — to the National Gallery, the establishment of which he had zealously promoted.

BEAUMONT, John Thomas Barber, miniature painter. Was born in Maryle- bone, December 21, 1774. He manifested an early taste for art, and in 1791 entered the schools of the Royal Academy, where he gained several medals, and from 1794 to 1806 was an exhibitor. He took up miniature art, soon distinguished himself, and was appointed miniature painter to the Duke of Kent and Duke of York. In his miniatures there is no apparent stip- pling or hatching — all appears done with a Droad, full pencil. Of an active mind, he was not satisfied with the quiet pursuits of art. He published, in 1802. * A Tour in South Wales.' Soon after, he wrote on the defences of the country, and organised a body of volunteers. He also established the well-known 'Weekly Register/ In 1806 he successfully established a provident institution, and later the. County Fire Office, of which he was the managing director. He abandoned art for these pursuits, and does not appear as an ex- hibitor after 1806. He took the name of Beaumont (added to Barber), and was an active magistrate for Middlesex and West- minster. He died May 15, 1851. Some theatrical miniature portraits by him are engraved.

BEAUVAIS, John, miniature painter. A native of France, who settled in Eng- land. He gained a Society of Arts' premium in 1765, and practised with success as a miniature painter at Bath in the latter half of the 18th century. He is mentioned in Smith's 'Life of Nollekens ' as a constant attendant at Langford's auctions, and was noted for his dirty person, but he never- theless regularly presented himself at Court. He died in London, date unknown.

BEAZLEY, Charles, architect. For- merly of Whitehall and of Walmer, Kent. He was an occasional exhibitor at the Academy, 1787 to 1806. Died at Hamp- stead- January 6, 1829, aged 69.

BEAZLEY, Samuel, architect. The

son of an architect ; he was born at

Whitehall in 1786, and was the pupil of

the foregoing Charles Beazley, his uncle.

34

T3EC

In early life he served as a volunteer in the Peninsula. He was fond of the drama, and wrote for the stage several dramatic pieces and adaptations. 'The Steward,' played in 1820. and * The Deserfed Daugh- ter,' were his cnief productions of this class. His architectural works were mainly in connection with the theatre. He reouilt the Lyceum in 1807, and again after it was burnt down in 1830. In 1820 he rebuilt the Birmingham Theatre, and in 1821 the Dublin Theatre. He also recon- structed the interior of the Drury Lane Theatre in 1822, and added the external colonnade. To this list must be added the Soho Theatre, built about 1834 ; the St. James's Theatre, in 1836-37 ; the theatre at Leicester, 1836 ; and the City of London Theatre, 1837. After his designs also several mansions were erected, and some stations on the South Eastern Railway ; the Lord Warden Hotel, Dover, 1849 ; and the Pilot House. He exhibited at the Royal Academy for the first time in 1811, ana at long intervals up to 1840. He died of apoplexy at Tunbridge, October 12, 1851, in his 66th year, and was buried at Bermondsey Old Church. X BECK, David, portrait painter. Born at Arnheim 1621. Came to England as pupil and assistant to Vandyke, and gained the notice of Charles I., who made him drawing-master to the young princes. His facility of execution was so great, that the king is reported to have said : ' Faith, Beck ! I believe you could paint riding post ! ' He afterwards went to France, Denmark, and Sweden, and in the last country was patronised by the Queen, and gained wealth and reputation. He died at the Hague, 1656.

9 BECKETT, Isaac, mezzo-tint engraver. Born in Kent 1653. He was apprenticed to a calico printer, but becoming acquainted with Lutterell ? who was trying the new art of mezzo-tmt, he learnt from him the process. He was obliged to abscond for a time in consequence of an intrigue, but was afterwards again connected with Lut- terell in the development of mezzo-tint ; and then marrying a woman of some fortune, he set up for himself. He was industrious, completed many rxrt'aits, chiefly after Kneller, Lely, and Riley, with some after Vandyke and Murray, and from the life, with some- subject plates. In this he was assisted by his former colleague, Lutterell. • His drawing was weak, but his plates clear and well scraped, though flat and coarse in the shadows ; and the art owed some progress to him. He died 1719, aged 66.

BECKMAN, Sir Martin, Knt., land- scape painter. Pupil of John Wycfc. He painted sea-pieces and landscapes, and then entering the service of Charles II. as