Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/87

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He was for a time editor of the ' Fine Art Almanack. 1 He printed for private circu- lation in 1874, 'English Graphic Satire, 1 the illustrations etched by himself. He died at Camden Town, Feb. 26th, 1874.

BUTLER, William Deane. architect. He was a pupil of Beazlev ana settled in Dublin, where he practised nearly 40 years. He built the Roman Catholic Church at Roscrea and at Monasteverin, two import- ant Gothic edifices ; the new cathedral at Kilkenny ; the railway stations at Dublin and Drogheda; and the market-place in Sackville Street, Dublin. He held the appointment of architect to the Lord Lieutenant. His art was much esteemed in Ireland. He died suddenly at Dublin, November 28, 1857, well advanced in years.

BUTTS, John, landscape painter. He was born at Cork, where be was brought up, and early in life took to landscape painting, without much help in the pursuit of his art. He painted compositions in the manner of Claude, introducing figures, but far from mere imitations. For a time he was a scene painter, and suffering many distresses, did anything, even signs and coach-panels, to supply the wants of a large young family. Barry, R.A., his friend and fellow-citizen, writes of him from Rome: ' I am, indeed, sensibly touched with the fate of poor Butts, who ? with all his merit, never met with anything but cares ana misery, which, I may say, hunted him into his very grave.' His works showed great breadth and harmony of colour. His cares may be accounted for — he fell into the hands of a dealer in Dublin when about 30 years of age, shared an attic with him, spent his gains in whisky, and his vices soon terminated his career. He died 1764.

B Y E R, Nicholas, portrait painter. Born at Drontheim, Norway. Painted both history and portrait. Was employed for three or four years by Sir William Temple, at Sheen, Surrey. Several per- sons of distinction and some members of the royal family sat to him, and he was reputed a good painter. He died at Sheen in 1681, and was the first person buried at St. Clement Danes after the rebuilding of the church.

BYFIELD, Ebenezer, wood evwravcr. Executed the fine woodcuts for Dibdin's 'Decameron/ a costly work, published in 1817, and died before its publication.

BYFIELD, John, wood engraver. Brother of the above Ebenezer. He at- tained much reputation as a wood engraver, and, assisted by Mary Byfield, his sister, engraved the woodcuts for an edition of Holbein's 'Icones Veteris Testamenti/ published 1830; and, in conjunction with Bonner, ' The Dance of Death/ published 66

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1833. He also engraved for an illustrated edition of Gray's ' Elegy/ published 1835.

BYFIELD. George, architect. From 1780 till his death he was a constant ex- hibitor at the Academy, his designs and the works on which he was employed seldom going beyond a villa, a country seat, or a park entrance. He died in Craven Street, Strand, August 9, 1813, in his 58th year.

BYRES, James, architect. He was established at Rome about 1770, and pro- moted the inclination of his countrymen to purchase antique sculpture.

BYRNE, William, landscape engraver. Born in London 1743. He was educated at Birmingham under his uncle, a native of Ireland, an engraver of arms on plate. He attempted an engraving of the * Villa Madama, after Wilson, R.A., for which, in 1765, he gained the Society of Arts medal. Thus encouraged, he studied land- scape engraving, and went to Paris, then the chief school of engraving, and was the pupil of Aliamet, and afterwards of Wille. On his return to England he became a member of the Incorporated Society of Artists. He studied from nature, and formed his own style. His larger works are after Zuccarelli and Both ; but his best examples will be found in * The Antiquities of Great Britain/ after Hearne; * Views of the Lakes/ after Farington, R.A. ; and 1 The Scenery of Italy/ after Smith. His chief excellence was in his aerial perspect- ive and the general effect of his light and shade. His skies were put in by hand, and were noted for their beauty of finish. His pupils — in his later years his own son and daughters — were employed in the etching, and he occupied himself more in the finishing of his plates. He died in Titchfield Street, September 24, 1805, and was buried at Old St. Pancras's Church.

BYRNE, Anne Francis, flower paint- er. Eldest daughter of the foregoing William Byrne. She was born in London in 1775, and in her early life was chiefly engaged in teaching ; but renouncing this more lucrative practice, she devoted herself to painting, and acquired great skill in water-colours. In 1806 she was elected an associate exhibitor of the Water-Colour Society, and in 1809 to full membership. On the change made in the constitution of the Society in 1813 she withdrew from it; but in 18*20 was an exhibitor, and in the following year she rejoined the Society as a member. She occasionally exhibited a flower-piece at the Academy, commencing in 1796, and sent her last 'work in 1820. Her flowers were well grouped, and with great richness of colour combine a charm- ing freshness ; but, with the exception of a bird exhibited on one or two occasions,