Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/69

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The son's early talents were divided between art and the drama, and his future career seemed balanced between the two. But the father's love of low company, his in- discreet conduct, and his violent political opinions, broke up his wife's school, which was probably the chief support of the family, and they fled to Paris. Here, at the age of 15, and with the most limited means, young Bonington obtained admission to the Louvre, ana commenced seriously the study of art as his future profession. He took great pains to improve, became a student at the Institute, and drew in the atelier of Baron Gros.and his improvement was rapid; his studies were in a bold, masterly style, and he gained the gold medal in Paris for one of his marine subjects.

About the year 1822 he went to Italy. His works, both in oil and water-colours, had already met with patronage, and had made him a reputation in Pans, but were unknown here ; when, in 1826, he exhibited at the British Institution two views on the French Coast, which surprised the English* painte.s. and gave him at once a name among nis own countrymen; and in the next year a similar subject at the Academy, followed in 1828, when he was still residing in Paris, by * Henry III. of France ' and the 'Grand Canal, Venice.' He had always been greatly esteemed in France, and now commissions flowed upon him from both countries. Devoting himself to his art, he was imprudently sketching in the sun at Paris, when he was attacked by brain fever, followed by a severe illness. He came to London for advice, and fell into a rapid consumption, which ended his short yet promising career, September 23, 1828. He was buried in the vaults of St. James's Church, Pentonville. His works were marked by great originality and a rich feel- ing for colour. His art was picturesque and dramatic. He painted landscape and ma- rine ; and master of the figure, genre sub- jects with much grace. His drawings were sold by auction, and realised 12002. In 1870, nis * Henry IV. and the Ambas- sador ' is stated to have fetched 33202. at a sale in Paris. A series of his works was lithographed by Harding, and his * Pictur- esque Journey ' was published, but its true appreciation was confined to the artists.

BONNAR, William. R.S.A., portrait and subject painter. Born in Edinburgh in June 1800. He was the son of a house

fainter, and was apprenticed to a decorator, n 1822 he fitted up the Assembly Rooms at Edinburgh for the State ball given to George IV. on his visit to Scotland. His friends advised him to try art, and in 1824 he painted ' The Tinkers,' a work which at once gave him rank as an artist. On the foundation of the Royal Scottish Academy 48

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in 1830, he was chosen one of the mem- bers, and painted many good pictures, some of which have been engraved ; but he was chiefly engaged in portraiture. He died in Edinburgh, February 1853, in his 53rd year.

BONNE AU, Jacob, landscape painter. He is believed to have been the son of an indifferent French engraver, who, about 1741, practised in London, and was em- ployed by the booksellers. He was a member of the Incorporated Society of Artists, and exhibited landscape views at the Spring Gardens Exhibition*! — 1765- 1778, and at the Academy between 1770 and 1784 — chiefly landscapes, in water- colours, with occasionally*a figure subject. But he was principally engaged as a teacher of drawing and perspective. He died at Kentish Town, March 18, 1786.

BONNER, Geoeoe William, wood engraver. Was born at Devizes, May 24, 1796. and educated at Bath. He came to London, and, apprenticed to a wood en- graver, he became a good draftsman and skilled engraver, and was distinguished by his ability in producing gradations of tint by a combination of blocks. He en- graved for the ' British Cyclopaedia. ' Died January 3, 1836.

BONNER, Thomas, topographical draftsman and engraver. Was a native of Gloucestershire, and drew and engraved the churches of that county. He was a pupil of Henry Roberts, and in 1763 re- ceived a premium from the Society of Arts. The views also for Polwhele's 'History of Devonshire,' published 1797, and the numerous illustrations for Collinson's ' His- tory of Somersetshire,' published 1791, were both drawn and engraved by him. He published also the ' Copper-plate Per- spective Itinerary,' which consisted of well- executed topographical engravings, and, with the drawings and descriptive letter-

Sress, were by his own hand. He was the esigner of some illustrations to the works of Richardson, Smollett, and Fielding. In 1807 he exhibited at the Academy draw- ings of architectural remains. He died before 1812.

BONOMI, Joseph, A.R.A., architect. Born at Rome, January 19, 1739. Studied architecture there, and was induced, in 1767, to come to London by the Brothers Adam, with whom he for many years found em- ployment, especially in the interior decor- ation of their buildings. He married, in 1775, the cousin of Angelica Kauffmann, who, when she went to reside in Rome, in 1783, persuaded him to return to Italy, with his wife and family. He did not remain there above one year, but, hastened by the death of his son, came back again to Lon- don, where he finally settled in the practice of his profession. In 1789 he was elected