Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/62

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this class. He was one of our earliest political caricaturists. The 'Newmarket Racecourse ' and ' Ludicrous Philosopher/ in six plates, are by him. He also engraved the portraits of his father and himself. He died 1758.

BIELB Y, W., topographical draftsman. He practised in the latter half of the 18th century, and painted some views of Chel- sea and Battersea, which were engraved in aqua-tint by Jukes. Several views by him are also engraved in Angus's ' Seats of the Nobility and Gentry,' commenced 1787.

BIERLlNG, Adam A., architectural draughtsman. Hollar engraved views of Arundel House, in the Strand, after his drawings. He was the publisher of several of Hollar's works.

BIFFIN, Miss Sarah, miniature painter. She was born near Bridgewater in 1784. and was from her birth without hands and feet. She was early taught drawing, and making good progress, she had some instruction from Mr. Craig, the miniature painter, and in 1821 was awarded a medal oy the Society of Arts. She was patron- ised by the royal family, and for many years supported herself by her art; but as age grew upon her she was much reduced, and then residing at Liverpool, an annuity was purchased for her by a subscription raisea there. She died October 1850. ^* BIGG, William Redmore, R.A., sub- ject painter. Was born in January 1755. He was a pupil of Penny, R. A., and entered the Academy schools in 1778. In 1780 he first appears as an exhibitor of ' School- boys giving Charity to a Blind Man,' and in the following year of ' A Lady and Children relieving a distressed Cottager.' In 1782 he exhibited with the Free Society exhibit works of this class and portraits, and in 1787 was elected an associate of the Academy; but his progress must have been slow, for it was not till 1814 that he gained his election as academician. From the commencement of his career to its close he was a constant exhibitor. His whole art. from which he never strayed, was founded upon the simplest incidents of domestic life, and always with a benevolent and moral tendency. Among his later works are, however, some landscapes, into which, no doubt, rustic figures are mtroduced. His works had not much vigour in execution or subject; his colouring was somewhat feeble ana chalky; but his pictures were no less suited to the taste of the day, and were very popular. Many of them were en- graved. Leslie, R. A., mentions that he sat to him for the Knight in his painting of ' Sir Roger de Coverley,' and says. ' I thought him an admirable specimen, Doth in look and manner, of an old-fashioned English gentleman; a more amiable man never
 * Palemon and Lavinia.' He continued to

existed.' He died in Great Russell Street, February, 6, 1828.

BILLINGSLET, sometimes called ' Beeley,' William, china painter. Born at Derby about 1758. He early found employment in the china works, where he was apprenticed for five years, 1774-9. He left the Derby works about 1785, and became engaged at the Pinxton factory in the same county. He did not stay longer than 1800, when he superintended a small factory at Mansfield, where he remained about five years. In 1811 he emigrated to Worcester, from thence to Nantearw in 1816, where he remained till his death in 1828. He gained great repute for his skill as a china painter, excelling especially in his flowers, but he changed his employ- ment so often that he failed to maintain the position he deserved.

BILLINGTON. Horace W., landscape painter. He was the brother-in-law of the celebrated singer, and was known by his abilities as an artist. He exhibited some views at the Academy in 1802. Died in London, November 17, 1812.

BINDON, Francis, amateur. Was a native of Ireland, and a gentleman of for- tune, who made great efforts topromote the fine arts in his country. With this view he visited Italy, to improve his own knowledge of art. He painted many por- traits in Ireland in the reign of George II., and had some knowledge of architec- ture, of which Bessborough House, in the county of Kilkenny, built by him, is an example. There is by his hand a por- trait of Dean Swift, engraved 1732; Dean Delany, and Dr. Sheridan; and a full- length of the Archbishop of Armagh, which was mezzo-tinted about 1742 by John Brooks. His portraits are tolerably drawn, but painted thinly, and with very little finish. He died June 2, 1765.

BING (or BYNG), Edward, drapery painter. He found constant employment in the studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller, to whose portraits he added the wigs, dra- peries, and other accessories. After Knel- ler's death, in 1723, he was employed to finish his unfinished works — a task left him by his master's will, with an annuity of 100/.

BING (or BYNG), Robert, drapery painter. Brother of the above, and em- ployed in the same manner, by Kneller. There are portraits by him dated 1716. He practised for a time in Salisbury. There is a portrait of Cave Underhill, the actor, by him in the Garrick Club.

BINNEMAN, Walter, engraver. He practised in the 17th century, and there are some indifferent portraits by his hand.

BIRCH, William, enamel painter. Born in Warwick. Practised in London. Exhibited at the Academy, first time, in