Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/330

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1785, and was the son of the above James Newton. He practised miniature painting with success, alter exhibiting at the Aca- demy in 18J8, and from that year con- tinuing a large contributor. His art was popular, and he had many distinguished sitters. He was appointed miniature paint- er to Queen Adelaide, and in 1837 received the honour of knighthood. He died in London, January 22, 1869. He was a weak draftsman, his works graceless, and wanting in composition ana taste. He tried some groups of miniatures of a large size on a plan of his own for uniting several pieces of ivory.

NEWTON, Richard, caricaturist and miniature painter. He gave promise of ability, but nis works were chiefly convivial and licentious. He died in London at the early age of 21, December 9, 1798. The ' Blue Devils/ 1795 ; drawn and etched by him, is a clever design.

NEWTON, Mrs. Mary, amateur. She was the daughter of Mr. Joseph Severn, her Majesty's Consul at Rome, who is well known as an accomplished artist She married Mr. Charles J. Newton, of the British Museum, and her early taste for art was assisted by Mr. Richmond, R.A. She drew the figure accurately, received several commissions from the Queen, and drew portraits in crayons and water-colours. She exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1855, 'Chess;' in 1856, 'Summer and Winter;' in 1864, 'Letty;' and in 1865, three portraits. She died of measles, January 2, 1866, aged 33.

NICIIOLLS, Sutton, engraver. Prac- tised in London early in the 18th century. He was chiefly employed upon plates for booksellers. Some slight etchings of shells and other objects are among his best works. He engraved the views in London for Stowe's 'Survey/ and published in 1725, 4 Prospects of the Most Considerable Build- ings about London/ both drawn and en- graved by himself.

NICHOLS, Joseph, topographical painter. Painted, in 1738, *A View of Stocks' Market/ in the City, since removed; and a companion picture, ' A View of the Fountain in the Temple/ both of which were engraved. In the first some well- painted figures were introduced, and the work was for some time attributed to Hogarth. Of the painter nothing is now known.

NICHOLSON, Francis, water-colour painter. Was born at Pickering, York- shire, where his family possessed a small property, November 14, 1753. He showed an early disposition to the arts, and had some lessons from an artist at Scarborough. After two visits to London, he settled at Whitby in 1783, married there, aud was employed in painting portraits of horses,

dogs, and dead game, and was also engaged in teaching. In 1789 he exhibited for the first time at the Academy. He left Whitby in 1792, and resided for a time at Knares- borough, then at Ripon, and from thence, approaching the Metropolis, at Weybridge, and finally came to Lonuon, where he estab- lished himself as an artist. He was one of the founders of the Water- Colour Society in 1804, and continued a member and exhi- bitor up to 1815. His subjects, frequently waterfalls or rushing streams, were found in Wales and the hilly country of the north of England, and in Scotland. He became distinguished in the new art, though he never attained excellence. Later he de- voted much of his time to lithography, and made above 800 drawings upon the stone, and had much influence in the advance- ment of the art. About 1822 he published a work on ' The Practice of Drawing and Painting Landscape from Nature.' He discovered a process of treating the high tights in water-colours, which consisted m securing them with a composition, not soluble m water, but which might be readily removed with a highly rectified spirit, leav- ing the lights pure. Having acquired a competency, he gave up the practice of his own art, and amused himself by experi- ment^ painting in various oil vehicles, sometimes, unfortunately, upon the best of his own drawings in his possession, and continued to the end of his long life in these occupations. He was a man of various attainments, and much practical knowledge. He died in London, March 6, 1844, aged 90. His collection of pictures, drawings and sketches were sold at Chris- tie's in the same year.

NICHOLSON, Alfred, water-colour painter. Son of the above Francis Nichol- son. Was born in Yorkshire, and early in life entered the Royal Navy, and saw some service on the coasts of Holland and Por- tugal. After a few years he left the Navy, and commenced his career as an artist. He visited Ireland in 1813, resided there three or four years, and made a large collection of sketches elaborately finished. About 1818 he settled permanently in London, and was almost exclusively employed as a teacher of drawing. In 1821 he made an excursion through North Wales and a part of Ireland, adding largely to his collection of sketches, and m the following summer visited Guernsey, Jersey, and Yorkshire, assiduously pursuing his art. His drawings combine much graceful finish with force and general effect. His works are usually of a small size. He died in London, No- vember 23, 1833, aged 45, having suffered during the last three or four years of his life from a painful illness. He left a widow and two infant children.

NICHOLSON, Isaao, wood-engraver,

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