Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/245

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Office, in Fleet Street; and St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington. He was for nearly 40 years surveyor of the county of Essex, and adapted the large county gaol at Springfield to the cellular system. He made designs for a national gallery for works commemorative of British victories; com- peted for the erection of the General Post Office, and published his designs; and also for the new Houses of Parliament. From the year 1833 he was a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy. He died August 11, 1856, aged 79.

HOPPER. Humphrey, sculptor. Studied in the schools of the Royal Academy, and in 1803 gained the Academy gold medal for his original group, 'The Death of Meleager.' He was, commencing in 1799, an occasional contributor to the Academy Exhibitions. His first works were of an ornamental character, but in 1807 he exhi- bited designs for the Pitt and Nelson Monuments; then some classic figures, 'Venus/ 'Bacchus,' 'A Bacchante.' In 1815 and the following years he was an exhi- bitor of busts, with sometimes a monumental figure. He exhibited for the last time in 1834. The public monument in St. Paul's to Major-General Hay, a group of three figures, is by him.

%HOPPNER, John, H.A. t portraitpaint- er. Was born at Whitechapel, April 4, 1758. His mother was one of the German attendants at the palace, and his father, not- withstanding some mystery had been made with respect to his parentage, also a German, had for some time been settled here. He commenced life as a chorister in the Chapel Royal; afterwards showing a strong incli- nation for art, the King made him some small allowance, and in 1775 he was admitted a student of the Royal Academy. Continuing to study diligently, he gained the gold medal in 1782 for an original painting from ' King Lear,' and the same year married Miss Wright, whose mother was celebrated for her small portraits modelled in wax.

His early devotion was to landscape, but he soon adopted portrait as his profession, and had many sitters. In 1780 he first appears as an exhibitor at the Academy, and for some years he continued to sena por- traits of ' A Lady' or ' A Gentleman,' it not then being the custom to give the name of the person represented. He retained some friends in the palace, for in 1785 he exhi- bited the portraits of three of the princesses, and in 1789 is distinguished as portrait paint- er to the Prince of Wales, ana then painted the portraits of the Prince and the Duke and Duchess of York. He had attained a high position in his profession, and rank and fashion surrounded his easel. His contri- butions to the Academy Exhibitions were numerous. Lawrence recognised in him his most powerful competitor, and the public 224

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looked upon the two as rivals. His art was confined to portraiture; he made few higher attempts. He was elected in 1793 an as- sociate, and in 1795 a member, of the Royal Academy.

Hoppner succeeded best in his portraits of ladies and children. His handling was free, his execution unlaboured, but his drawing often faulty. His colouring was deemed brilliant by his contemporaries; it has become hard and horny by time, and from the use of defective materials many of his pictures have fallen into a sad state of decay. The best examples of his art are in the State apartments at St James's Palace. He was an imitator of Reynolds, to whom some of his best works owe their inspiration. He continued to exhibit, but later with some intermission, up to 1807. A chronic state of ill-health, aggravated by restless irritability, shortened his days. He died January 23, 1810, aged si, and was buried in the cemetery of St. James's Chapel, Hampstead Road. He published, in 1803, ' A Select Series of Portraits of Ladies of Rank and Fashion/painted by him; and in 1806, ' Oriental Tales trans- lated into English Verse.'

HOPPNER, Lasoelles, subject painter. Son of the above. He was a student in the Royal Academy, and in 1807 gained the Academy gold medal for his painting, ' The Judgment of Solomon.' He exhibited por- traits at the Academy from 1811 to 1815. There is a spirited picture by him, ' The Market-place, Seville, at . Holland House, Kensington, and a fine crayon sketch oi 'The Apotneosis of Santa Clara,' after Murillo.

HOPWOOD, James, engraver. Born about 1752, at Beverley. He was without any help to knowledge in his profession, but was found surrounded by a family of six children, and was then, at the mature Age of 45, making a second attempt on copper, having already by great industry engraved and published a plate by subscription. By the sale of these two plates, which he had. finished under great privations, he was en- abled to make his way to London. Mr. Heath kindly permitted him to work in his house, and, struggling with difficulties, by his great assiduity he made up for the deficiency of his early training. In 1813 he was elected secretary to the Artists' Fund, and held this office till 1818, when he re- signed, and during illness was assisted from the Fund. He died September 29, 1819.

HOPWOOD, James, engraver. Son and pupil of the foregoing. He was born in 1795. He engraved in the dot manner, chiefly portraits, a collection of which was published in Paris. He both designed and engraved some clever book illustrations.

HORNE, Galyon, glass painter. De- scribed as of the parish of St. Mary