Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/500

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WIL

WIN

was knighted in 1681, and practised in the reign of William III.; but little is known of his works. He is said to have designed the colossal figure of Charles II. on the west front of Lichfield Cathedral He re- built the spire of Warwick Church. Died about 1702.

  • W T ILTON, Joseph, R. A., sculptor. Was

born in London July 16, 1722, and was educated at Hoddesdon, Herts. His father, originally a workman, was a manufacturer of architectural ornaments in plaster, em- ploying many men. He studied mathe- matics and geometry for the profession of an engineer, but afterwards determined to follow sculpture as his profession. He was placed unaer Delvaux, who had formerly resided in London, at Nivelles, in Brabant, and in 1744 went to Paris, where he studied in the Academy under Pigalle. In Octo- ber. 1747, he left that city, and travelled in Italy, studying several years in Rome and Florence, and in the former city, in 1750, gained the Jubilee Gold Medal, given by the Pope. He afterwards visited Naples, and the interesting localities in the neigh- bourhood, and from 1751 till May 1755, when he returned to London, he was fully employed in Florence upon copies and com- missions.

On his home journey he was accompanied by Sir William Chambers, and Cipriani. R.A. He had enjoyed opportunities of study which other English sculptors had not known. In 1758 he was selected to teach modelling in the Duke of Richmond's Gallery, and was about the same time ap- pointed State coach carver to the King, and modelled the ornaments for the Coro- nation State coach. On the institution of the Royal Academy, he was nominated one of the foundation members. In 1773 he completed his monument to General Wolfe in Westminster Abbey, his first pub- lic work. This was followed by monuments to Admiral Holmes, the Earl and Countess of Monteath, Pulteney Earl of Bath, and a series of fine busts, including Bacon, Newton, Cromwell, Chatham, and Swift. He also executed some fine mantelpieces. His contributions to the Academy exhi- bitions were very limited. In 1769, and several following years, he only sent a bust. In 1773 a small model of Mutius Scaevola before Porsenna. In 1781 and 1783 he each year exhibited a monumental figure, and was not again an exhibitor.

His father had left him an independence. He had added to this considerably by his professional gains, and after a career of nearly thirty years, he sold his premises and materials by auction. Retiring from the active pursuit of his art. he accepted the office of Keeper to the Academy m 1790. an office which he filled with much zeal till his death. Living in much luxury, he

entertained many distinguished friends, among whom were some of the most emi- nent artists and dilettanti, including Dr. Johnson. His daughter, who is always mentioned as possessed of remarkable beauty, married Sir Robert Chambers, Chief-Justice in India. She presented to the Academy a bust in plaster by Rou- biliac of her father. He died November 25? 1803, in his 81st year. His works are skilfully executed and coldly correct— some*- times graceful. His groups are crowded in their composition, yet not without grandeur of conception.

WINDHAM, Joseph, amateur. Was born at Twickenham, Augu&t 21, 1739, and educated at Eton and Christ's College, Cambridge, and was an eminent classic scholar, learned in the history of art and architecture. He travelled in France, Italy, Istria, and Switzerland, and, a good drafts- man, ne made many sketches of scenery, architecture, and ancient remains; and at Rome measured some of the ruins with great accuracy. Many of his plans and sections are engraved in Cameron s work on the Roman baths. He wrote the greater part of the letterpress of the 2nd Volume of the 'Ionian Antiquities/ published by the Dilettanti Society. He died September 21, 1810.

WINGFIELD, J. D., landscape and figure painter. His name first appears in the catalogues of the Royal Academy as an exhibitor of portraits in 1835-36. feut be afterwards painted interiors, and garden and park scenes, introducing figures in cos- tume; and he exhibited works of this class up to 1872. He died in the spring of that year, and his works, with numerous copies from the old masters, were sold by Messrs. Christie in the following July.

WINSTANLEY, Henry, architect. He was of Littlebury, Essex, and had by several inventions shown the germs of genius. He travelled in Italy early in life, and his name first appears in 1694 as clerk of the works at Audley Inn, then a rqyal palace, and as filling the same office at Newmarket in 1700. Evelyn mentions having, on a visit to Chelsea in 1696, ( seen those ingenious water-works invented by Mr. Winstanley, architect of the Eddy- stone Lighthouse, wherein were some things very surprising and extraordinary. ' Here he also exhibited the model of bis light- house at a charge of sixpence each person. This erection, which was chiefly of wood, was commenced in 1696 and completed in four years. He was so confident of its security, that he is reputed to have ex- pressed a wish to be left in it dining a storm. Anyhow this so happened. He was superintending some repairs, making under his inspection, and perished together with his workmen and his work in the great

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