Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/58

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BENNET, William James, water- colour painter. He was in 1808 a member of the 'Associated Artists in Water- Colours,' and was in 1819 an ' exhibitor ' at the Water-Colour Society, sending Neapolitan views. In 1821 he was elected an ' associate exhibitor/ exhibiting in 1823 'The Coast of Barbary,' and in 1824 ' Mount Vesuvius ; ' after 1825 his name disappears from the catalogue.

BENNETT, William, water-colour painter. Born 1811. He is reputed to nave been a pupil of David Cox, and to have begun his art career rather late in life. His name as an exhibitor first appears at the Royal Academy in 1842 and 1843, when he sent views in Somersetshire, followed in 1844 and 1845 by subjects in North Wales, continuing at long intervals a contributor till 1854. In 1848 he was chosen a member of the Institute of Painters in Water-Colours, and from that year till his death his chief works were exhibited at the gallery of the Institute. He painted chiefly the scenery of England — her woods,commons, sea-coasts, and ruined edifices. His works were carefully finished, his foliage good, but the general effect sometimes too green. He died at Clapham Park, after a short illness, March 16, 1871.

BENOIST, William Philip, engraver. He was born at Coutances, Normandy, and brought to England by Du Bosc ; he early in life settled in London. He engraved portraits in a neat manner, and a print of the ' Mock-masons/ with some other sub- ject works. He was also a teacher of drawing in many families of the higher class. After a residence of about 40 years in London, he died there in August 1770.

BENSON, Sir William, Knt., archi- tect. His father served the office of sheriff of London, and was knighted. He was born in 1682, and having received a good education he travelled to improve himself in his profession. In 17 10 he built a resid- ence for himself at Amesbury. He re- presented Shaftesbury in the first parliament of George I. He was appointed surveyor-

feneral to the Crown in 1718, superseding y a political intrigue Sir Christopher Wren, and in opposition to his opinion he erected the exterior balustrade over the upper order of St. Paul's Cathedral. On an official survey of the House of Lords, he reported the Peers' Chamber was in a dangerous* state; but other professional opinion being taken, it was, after investi-

Sation by a committee of the House, eclared in a sound condition, and his report false and groundless. He was removed from his office, for which he was incompetent. He was afterwards convicted of briDery, and expelled the House of Commons ; and then, sinking into ob- scurity, he died at Wimbledon, February

2, 1754. He is stigmatised by Pope in ' The Dunciad.'

BENTLEY, Charles, water-colour painter. He first exhibited at the Water- Colour Society in 1832 and 1833, and appears as an associate exhibitor in 1834. He was elected a member in 1844, and was from the first a constant contributor to the Society's Exhibitions. His contributions were chiefly coast and river scenes, but extended over a wide range, and included the numerous and varied incidents which belong to such subjects. Though chiefly found on the coasts of the United King- dom, he sought his subjects in France, Holland, Venice, and painted effects of simset, evening, storm, and calm. He also painted a few more exclusively landscape subjects. In the hands of picture dealers, he was uncertain in his transactions, ana always poor. He died of an attack of cholera, after a few hours' illness, Septem- ber 4. 1854, aged 48.

BENTLE Y, Joseph Clayton, engraver. He was born in 1809. at Bradford, York- shire, and commenced art as a landscape painter ; but in 1832 came up to London to study engraving, and placed himself under K. Brandard. He practised in the line manner, and was much engaged on Messrs. Fisher's illustrated serial public- ations. Many of his works were also for the 'Gems of European Art/ published by Messrs. Virtue ; and he engraved for ' The Vernon Gallery.' He dia not abandon

Eainting, but continued to paint and ex- ibit, and his knowledge of art enhanced the value of his engravings. In engraving he was rapid, but his work was not of a high class. Some of his best engraved works are after R. Wilson, Gainsborough, Calcott, Creswick, and Linnell. His as- siduous labour undermined a weak consti- tution, his health became precarious, and he died at the age of 42, October 9, 1851, leaving a widow and two children.

BENTLEY, Richard, amateur. Was the only son of the celebrated Dr. Bentley, master of Trinity College, Cambridge, and an educated man of many accomplishments, but involved in distress and difficulty by his own imprudence. He was intimate with Walpole, with whom he is said to have maintained ' a sickly kind of friend- ship, which had its hot and cold fits.' He claims a place here by his designs in illus- tration of an edition of Gray's works, Srinted at Strawberry Hill, and also as the esigner of many Gothic embellishments at that noted residence. He was patronised by Lord Bute, and wrote some political and dramatic works. He died October 23, 1782. BEN WELL, John Hodges, subject painter. Born 1764; son of the under- steward to the Duke of Marlborough. Was a pupil of Mr. Saunders, an obscure portrait

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