Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/483

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WEB

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England, Wales, and Scotland, and after- wards, in 1787, in Italy, France, and Swit- zerland, and made numerous drawings, some of which were the subjects of his oil pic- tures. He had been elected an associate of the Royal Academy in 1785, and in 1791 was made a full member. His last ex- hibited works were views of England. He died at his lodgings in Oxford Street, May 29, 1793. His drawings are careful and accurate, but weak, his figures incorrect. His colouring thin and green, and his works wanting in light and shade. The illustra- tions of his voyage are his best works. His drawing of the death of Captain Cook, of which he was an eye-witness, was engraved by Byrne and Bartolozzi.

WEBBER Henry, sculptor. Was a student in the Royal Academy, and in 1776 gained the Academy gold medal for his group, ' The Judgment of Midas/ He had exhibited some wax models in the preceding year, and in 1779 exhibited a 'Bacchus and Ariadne,' a basso-relievo, after which his name disappears, t WEBSTER, Joseph Samuel, portrait painter. Practised in London in the reign of George II. There is a portrait by him in the nail of the Drapers Company, and several mezzo-tints from his portraits, by McArdell and J. Watson. He also painted some ideal figures. He died in London, July 6, 1796.

WEBSTER, Moses, water-colour paint- er. Born in 1792, in the town of Derby, he was apprenticed at the china works there, and soon excelled in flower-painting on por- celain. When out of bis time he continued for a while in his employment at the works, and was then engaged for four years at the china works in the city of Worcester, and afterwards went to London, where for some time he found employment; but returned to Derbyand to his painting in the china works. He was well skilled also as a flower- painter on paper, and noted for his finished execution. In 1818 he exhibited some flowers with the Water-Colour Society. About 1827 he commenced teaching as a profession and found many pupils in Derby and Nottingham. He drew several views in these counties, which he published. He also painted some landscape in oil. Ad- vancing in years, he was admitted into the Liversege alms-houses, where he died October 20, 1870.

WEBSTER, Simon, water-colour paint- er. He was, in 1766, a member of the In- corporated Society of Artists, which, in 1769, voted him a sum of money in consideration of his losses by a fire. He practised in the early part of the present century. He drew landscapes, and was one of the artists who etched for the clever work published by Ackerman — • Views of Cottages and Farm- houses in England,' 1817-19. 462

WEBSTER, G., marine painter. He was an occasional exhibitor of marine sub- jects at the Royal Academy from 1799 to 1826. He practised in oil, but painted a few works in water-colours. He went on a sketching tour in Wales with Varley in 1802. His works are not without merit. In 1801 he exhibited a 'View on the Gold Coast, Africa; taken on the Spot, 1799; ' in 1807, 'Shipping, a Fresh Breeze;' and in 1825. l The Battle of Trafalgar.'

WEBSTER, Thomas, architect. Born in the Orkneys, February 11, 1772. He was brought up as an architect, and from his tastes became much connected with the school of water-colour painters; and from his acquired proficiency was elected an honorary member of the Sketching Society. He built the lecture theatre of the Royal Institution, which is reputed for its acoustic properties and fitness. He was a man of several scientific attainments. He died in London, December 26, 1844, aged 72.

WEDGWOOD, John Taylor, engraver. Practised in London, and was engaged on the plates to illustrate the marbles in the British Museum, 1812. There are also by him, in the line manner, some good histori- cal plates, and portraits of Scott, Byron, Bernadin St. Pierre, and others. He died at Clapham, March 6, 1856, aged 73.

WEEK.ES, Henry, R. A., sculptor. Was bora at Canterbury in 1807. He began his art career with Behnes, to whom he was articled by his father for five years. He entered the schools of the Royal Academy in 1823, and later engaged himself as an assistant to Chantrey, with whom he re- mained till he died, succeeding to many of bis commissions, and occupying his studio till his own death. He was elected an associate of the Royal Academy in 1857 and a full member in 1863. Among his principal works are, a bust of her Majesty, the first that was taken after her accession to the throne; monuments to Shelley and Mary Woolstoncraft at Christ Church, Bournemouth; statues of Dr. Goodall at Eton; Lord Bacon at Trinity College, Cam- bridge; the Duke of Wellington; John Hunter for the Museum of the College of Surgeons; three statues for the Martyr's Memorial at Oxford; and one of the groups for the Albert Memorial in Hyde Park; besides numerous busts, among which those of Dean Buckland, Sir G. C. Lewis, Lord Truro, etc., should be mentioned. He also executed a statue of Charles II. for the House of Lords. He was professor of sculpture for several years at the Royal Academy, and was awarded a gold medal by the Society of Arts for the best treatise on the Fine Art Section of the Great Ex- hibition in 1851. He did not excel in the figure, but was a good portrait sculptor,