Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/57

 BEL

BEN

Academy in 1815, and in that and the three following years sent portraits in oil and in crayons ; but gaining some casual instruction in modelling he was led to that art, and in 1819 he exhibited portraits both in oil and modelled in clay.

He now finally adopted the sculptor's profession, and soon found full employ- ment. From 1820 to 1840 he enjoyed a very large practice, and executed some im- portant public works. But he was impro- vident and involved himself in difficulties, added to which he was of irregular habits. His reputation suffered : in 1861 he became bankrupt, and in his old age, living alone in miserable lodgings and afflicted with paralysis, he was taken, after a fall in the streets, to Middlesex Hospital, where he died, January 3, 1864, aged above 70.

His true art was in portrait statues and busts, and from 1822 nis exhibited works were of this class. He rendered the grace of childhood with much truth. His * Child with a Dove, 7 and his portraits of Lord Mansfield's and Mr. Hope's children are

food examples, as is also a bust of the 'rincess Victoria and of Benjamin West, P.R. A. Of his statues may be named Sir William Follett and Dr. Bell, in Westmin- ster Abbey ; and Major-General Sir T. Jones and Dr. Babington, in St. Paul's — the latter probably his best work. General Havelock, in Trafalgar Square — his last work of this class —is but a weak production. The honours of his profession were barred by his irregularities. Several distinguished sculptors were among his pupils.

BE LL, Edward, engraver. Was nephew of the publisher of the * British Poets, and was known as a mezzo-tint engraver towards the end of the 18th century.

BELL, Lady, amateur. Sister of Hamilton, R.A., and wife of Sir Thomas Bell, sheriff of London. She was instructed by her brother, and had some assistance from Sir Joshua Reynolds. She made some good copies of oil paintings : among them, a ' Holy Family ' by Rubens. She appears also to have had some skill in modelling, as in 1819 she was an honorary exhibitor of two busts at the Royal Academy. A por- trait by her of her husband is engraved. She died March 9, 1825.

BELL, William, portrait and history painter. Born at Newcastle-on-Tyne about 1740. He came to London 1768. and entered the schools of the Royal Academy established that year. In 1771 he gained the gold medal for his picture of ' Venus entreating Vulcan to forge Arms for her Son.' He found a patron in Lord Delaval, and painted two views of his Lordship's mansion, Seaton Delaval, in 1775, and several whole-length portraits of his family, but did not maintain his early promise. He resided for some time at 36

Newcastle, where he subsisted by portrait painting, and died about 1804.

BELLERS, William, landscape painter of the latter part of the 18th cen- tury. Eight views by him of the Cumber- land Lakes were published by Boydell in 1774, and several of his landscapes are etched by Chatelain. Ravenet, Canot, and others. He exhibited with the artists at the Society of Arts in 1761, and continued an exhibitor to 1772, painting moonlights, sun- sets, storms, &c, sometimes tinted drawings and crayons, but he does not appear to have contributed to the Academy Exhibitions.

BENAZECH, Petee Pafl ? engraver and draftsman. He was born m England in 1744, and was a pupil of Vivares. and studied some time m Paris. His land- scapes evinced much observation of nature and taste, and gained him reputation; some of tneni are engraved. Of his own engravings, his best are four large land- scapes after Dietrich, 1770-71. He also engraved four landscapes after Vernet, and a subject-piece after Ostade.

BENAZECH, Charles, portrait and subject painter. Son of the foregoing. Born in London, but chiefly studied on the Continent. He went to Rome in 1782, and returning by Paris, was in that city at the commencement of the Revolution. He exhibited at the Academy, in 1790 and 1791, subjects from the poets and some portraits. He is known oy four pictures, engraved by Schiavonetti, of the last days of Louis XVI. He painted several good portraits, some of which he engraved with nis own hand. He was member of the Academy at Florence. Died in London in the summer of 1794, in his 27th year.

BENlfcRE. Thomas, statuary. Born in England, of French parents, 1663. He carved portraits in marble from life at two guineas each, and modelled small works, which were much admired. He lived near the Fleet Ditch, and died there in 1693.

BENNET, S, enaraver. He practised in London at the beginning of the 19th century, and kept a print-shop in Spring Gardens. He engraved after M. Angelo
 * Leda ' and ' Venus and Cupid.'

BENNET, William Mineard, minia- ture painter. Born at Exeter. Became a pupil of Sir Thomas Lawrence, and attained reputation in London as a miniature and portrait painter. He exhibited at the Academy in 1812, sending oil portraits and miniatures, in 1813-15-16, and again in 1834-1835. He then settled in Paris, where he gained the esteem of the French Court, and was decorated by Louis Philippe. He attained also proficiency in music, and cultivated a taste for literature. In 1844 he returned to Exeter, and pursuing art only as an amusement, died m his native city, October 17, 1858, aged 80.