Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/286

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flat and dirty, had some merit Among them were the portraits of George II., Louis XI V., and Vandyck.

LE BLUND, Ralph, die engraver. Was presented to the office of ' cutter of the king's dies/ 52nd Heniy III.

LB CAPELAIN, John, water-colour painter. Was born in Jersey about 1814. He was a self-taught man, and came to London in 1832 to make art his profession. He painted upon the wrong side of veneered paper in a wet condition, which made the colours run together, and blend in a very harmonious manner. His works had but little outline, which caused Stanfield to speak of him as the ' foggy painter.' He made the drawings for the Jersey Album, presented to the Queen after her visit there, and this led to her Majesty's giving him a commission to paint the scenery of the Isle of Wight. While executing these drawings he caught cold, and died of rapid consumption in Jersey in 1848. His works were collected after his death, and pre- served in the Jersey Museum. His sketches met with a ready sale, and he had many pupils.

LE CAVE, P.. water-colour painter. He practised in the early tinted manner, painting landscapes with cattle and figures, pleasing but weak imitations of Berghem, and was employed in teaching. There are also by him some small works of the same class in oil. In 1769 he was an applicant for assistance to the Incorporated Society of Artists, and he is again heard of in 1803, when? much in debt, he left his lodgings, promising to return, but no further trace of him could be gained.

LE DAVIS, Edwabd, painter and en- graver. . Born in Wales about 1640. He was apprenticed to Loggan, but soon left him, and entered service as a domestic. Accompanying his master to Paris, he found there the means of pursuing his art, and practised both as a painter and engraver, Dut is best known by his engraved works, which are chiefly portraits. He died about 1684.

LEDBEATER, S., architect. He practised in the early part of the 18th cen- tury. The mansion of N uneham Oourtenay, Oxfordshire, was erected by him, the eleva- tion plain and well proportioned. It is engraved in Woolfe and Gandon's work.

LEE, Anna, botanical painter. Was a pupil of Parkinson, and practised in London with much repute in the latter part of the 18th century. She painted and drew plants, shells, and insects with great perfection. She died in the prime of life about 1790.

LEE, J., wood engraver. Between 1794-98 he engraved the cuts for 'The cheap Repository, 7 which, though coarsely executed, nad great merit.

LEE, James, wood engraver. Son of the

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foregoing. When young he practised some time in Paris, returning 1 786. He executed the portraits in Hansard's ( Typographic' 1805; also, after Craig's designs, the illus- trations to a reading-book, ' A Wreath for the Brow of Youth/ for the Princess Char- lotte of Wales, and was largely employed in the illustration of books for children. He died 1804.

LEE, A., portrait painter. Practised in the reign of George II. Some of his works are engraved.

LEE, Joseph, enamel painter. He was an occasional exhibitor of enamel minia- tures from the life, as well as copies, at the Academy, commencing in 1809. In 1818 he was appointed enamel painter to the Princess Charlotte, and that year exhibited her portrait, and again exhibited her Royal Hignness's portrait in 1823, after Dawe. In 1832 he was appointed enamel painter to the Duke of Sussex, whose portrait, after Phillips. R.A., he exhibited, ana also George IV.'s, after Lawrence, P.R.A. After a career of 44 years, which does not appear to have been successful, he exhi- bited for the last time in 1853. There is a clever example of his art at the South Kensington Museum. He died at Graves- end, December 26, 1859, aged 79.

LEE, William, water-colour painter. His chief subjects were English rustic figures, and later, French coast figures. He was elected in 1846 a member of the Insti- tute of Water-Colour Painters, and con- tinued a contributor to the Society's Ex- hibitions up to his death. Among his last works were 'The Long Sermon,' 'The Drinking Fountain,' ' The Rustic Beauty,' 'Thoughts of the Future.' He died in London, January 22, 1865, aged 55.

LEECH, John, humorous designer. Of Irish descent, he was born in the city of London in 1817, and sent very early to the Charter-house; where he remained eight years. He drew m his childhood, and had only a school-boy teaching In drawing. On leaving the Charter-house, he studied medi- cine and surgery, and entered St. Bartholo- mew's Hospital. Though qualified for the practice of medicine, the love of art grew too strong, and upon the commencement of ' Punch ' ne was among its first graphic con- tributors, and for 20 years continued to be the life of its weekly illustrations. Then the unceasing nature of the work proved too much for him, his system fell into a state of exhaustion and nervous irritability, and he died suddenly, without any alarming pre- monitory symptoms, at Kensington, Octo- ber 29, 1864. He was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery. His humour was uni- versal, without the least taint of ill-will, and was enjoyed by all — amiable^ aiming at truth and goodness, and illustrating every phase of life; his females incomparably ladies,

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