Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Bigg, William Redmore
BIGG, WILLIAM REDMORE (1755–1828), painter, was a pupil of Edward Penny, R.A., and by choice of his subjects at least a faithful follower of his master. In 1778 he entered the Academy schools. Bigg delighted in depicting florid children. The first of many engaging works of this class was exhibited in 1778, 'Schoolboys giving Charity to a Blind Man.' It was followed a year later by one similar, 'A Lady and her Children relieving a Distressed Cottager.' Besides these his 'Palemon and Lavinia,' the 'Shipwrecked Sailor Boy,' and 'Youths relieving a Blind Man ' were highly popular works, and were all engraved. Two good pictures from his easel are preserved in the Cottonian Museum at Plymouth. He had not the naïve rusticity of Wheatley, nor the rough and ready naturalism of Morland, though by choice of subjex^ts and general manner of treatment he woidd rightly be classed with those painters. He was highly popular in his day, and the best engravers were employed upon his work. In 1787 he became A.R.A., and was elected academician in 1814. He sat to C. R. Leslie for the knight in 'Sir Roger de Coverley.' The younger painter spoke eloquently of his fine presence and genial nature. He died in Great Russell Street on 6 Feb. 1828.
[Gent. Mag. vol. xcviii. pt. i. p. 376; Redgrave's Dict, of Artists of the Eng. School.]