Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/216

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HAM

HAN

vet were feeble and wanting in effect. 'Dean Kirwan Preaching/ in the Dublin Royal Society, is a good example of his art. His best portraits were of females, some of them treated historically. Of his historical attempts, a colossal head of ' Medusa/

  • Prometheus/ and ' Cupid and Psyche' are

mentioned as his best. He died in Dublin in 1806. Earlom and Houston engraved after him, the latter his portrait of Mrs. Hartley.

HAMILTON, Thomas, R.8.A., archi- tect. Was born in 1785. He practised in Edinburgh ; designed the BurnVs Memorial, Ayr, 1820, and erected there the Edinburgh High School, 1826-29, a clever adaptation of Grecian art : and planned the grand lines of approacn on the north side of the town ; also the facad-e of the Physicians' Hall, 1845, and several churches and man- sions. He was one of the foundation members in 1830, and treasurer of the Royal Scottish Academy, and received a gold medal at the Paris Universal Exhi- bition, 1855. He died February 24, 1858. He was the author of ' A Letter on the present state of the Fine Arts in Scotland/ 1850.

HAMILTON, Johw, amateur. He painted some landscapes, and in 1766 was a member of the Incorporated Society of Artists. About 1773 he was secretary to the Society, and later became vice-president. He etched in a painter-like manner the illustrations for his friend Grose's 'Trea- tise on Ancient Armour and Weapons/ 1785.

HAMILTON, David, architect. Born in Glasgow, May 11, 1768. He was brought up as an artificer, but he distin- guished himself early by his superior abilities, and in 1804 was employed as the architect of the Queen Street Theatre in that city. In 1806 he designed the monu- ment erected there to Nelson, and after- wards several ehurches ; in 1830 the Royal Exchange, in the Corinthian order ; and in 1835, St. Paul's Church, in the Ionic order. He was also the architect of several mansions and other important works in Scotland. On the competition for the Houses of Parliament in 1830, he was awarded the third premium. He died at Glasgow, December 5, 1843.

HAMILTON, William, R.A., history and portrait painter. He was born at Chelsea in 1751, the son of a Scotchman, who was employed by R. Adam, the archi- tect, who early in life assisted him to visit Italy, where he studied under Zucchi, but was too young to take full advantage of this opportunity. On his return he entered, in 1769, as a student at the Royal Academy. He practised in history, and sometimes painted subject pictures and portraits. He designed for BoydelTs ' Shakespeare/ and

for MackhVs i Bible ' and edition of the Poets ; also for Tomkins' edition, in 4to, of Thompson's ' Seasons ; ' and was generally much employed in book illustration. He was popular in his day, and many of his paintings were engraved Some of his water-colour drawings possess much bril- liancy and merit. His style was light and pretty, but wanting in all the essential characteristics of historic art. His male figures were effeminate and tall ; his females, dolls draped in the costume of the stage, and tawdry. His Shakespeare pic- tures possessed little of the character of the poet or his time. He received 600 guineas for painting the panels of Lord Fitzgib- bon's stete carriage, now in the South Kensington Museum ; and painted some antique decorations for the Marquis of Bath's seat in Wiltshire. He was elected associate in 1784, and R.A. in 1789. He was a constant exhibitor at the Academy, commencing in 1774, and took a wide range of subjects. From 1783 to 1789 he exhi- bited portraits ; and, at the latter part, theatrical portraits. He died in Dean Street, Soho, of fever, after a few days' illness, December 2, 1801, and was buried in the parish church of St. Anne. His widow became a pensioner of the Academy. HANCOCK, J. G., medallist. Towards the end of the 18th century he executed several good medals. He excelled in his

Eortrait dies. There is a fine medal by im of Lord Nelson.

HANCOCK, Robert, engraver. Was born in Staffordshire. He studied under Ravenet and was first engaged at Battersea, and later in the pottery works of his native county, where he was chiefly employed as an engraver, and saved about 6,000Z. The Worcestershire printed porcelain owed to him much of its excellence. Losing his savings by the failure of a bank, he commenced as an artist, and practised, in the latter part of the 18th century, in mezzo-tint. His works are chiefly after Sir J. Reynolds, Wright, of Derby, Miller, and some others. He resided some time at Worcester, and the latter part of his life at Bristol, wnere he drew in crayons some small portraits, several of which, among them Samuel Taylor Coleridge, dated 1796, are engraved in Cottle's * Early Recollec- tions.' He died October 1817 m his 87th year.

HAND, Thomas, landscape painter. He was a pupil of George Morland, and became one of the companions of his excesses. He acquired his master's free manner, and was a facile copyist of his works, to which he did not scruple to add his master's name. He exhibited a small landscape at the Spring Gardens Gallery in 1790 ; and at the Royal Academy, commenc- ing in 1792, rustic and sporting subjects, 2 195