Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/513

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

WYA

the cross of the Legion of Honour. In conjunction with his brother he obtained the first position in a competition for a model barracks. He was also much em- ployed by the India Office, and was joined with Sir Gilbert Scott in the erection of the India Office at Whitehall. He was also busily employed in erecting and alter- ing many mansions for private persons, among others, that of Lady Marian Alford, at Kuightsbridge. In 1835 he became Secretary to the Royal Institute of British Architects, a post which he held until May 1859. In 1866 he received the gold medal given bv her Majesty, the highest pro- fessional honour, and in 1869 was knighted by the Queen, while he was the same year cnosen Slade Professor of the University of Cambridge. His literary works con- nected with architecture and the arts add- ed, perhaps, more to his reputation than did the buildings which he designed and erected. Urbane in manner and of culti- vated taste, his society was much sought by his friends. His health gave way in 1875, and after a protracted illness he died at his house, Dimlands Castle, Cowbridge, Mav 24, 1877.

WYATT, Henry, portrait and subject painter. Was born at Thickbroom near Lichfield, September 17, 1794. Losing his father when only three years of age, he went to live with Francis Eginton, the well- known glass-painter at Birmingham, who was his guardian. Here acquiring a fond- ness for art, he came to London in 1811 to study, and in the following year was ad- mitted to the Academy schools. In 1815 he worked without pay in Sir Thomas Lawrence's studio for one year, and con- tinued for a while with a salary of 30JZ. a-year. About the end of 1817 he returned to Birmingham, where he found employ- ment in portrait painting, and was from that time an occasional exhibitor at the Royal Academy. In 1819 he removed to Liverpool, and then to Manchester, where he continued till 1825, and then came to London, and was a constant exhibitor at the Academy and the British Institution. At the end of 1834, his health failing, he went to reside in Leamington. In 1837 he hoped to return to London, but went first to Manchester to paint some portraits, for which he had accepted commissions, and early in the following April he had an attack of paralysis, from which he never recovered. He died February 27, 1840, at Prestwich, near Manchester, and was buried there. He was a clever painter, his colour good, and his subjects pleasingly treated. His * Fair Forester ' and * Prof- fered Kiss' were engraved by Boo, R.A. His * Juliet/ 'Chapeau Noir/ * Gentle Reader,' * The Romance/ * Clara Mowbray/ Mars and Venus/ were popular works. 492

WYA

WYATT, Thomas, portrait painter. Younger brother of the above. Studied in the schools of the Academy, and practising portrait painting, accompanied his brother to Birmingham, Liverpool, and finally Man- chester, where for a time he tried photo-? graphy, but without success. He then settled near Lichfield, his native place, and resumed portraiture, but again with little encouragement, and attacked by paralysis, he died, after five years' dependence upon his friends, Julv 7, 1859. His works are well known and. esteemed at Birmingham, where he was secretary to the Midland Society of Artists, and in the neighbouring counties.

WYATVILLE, Sir Jeffery, Knt., R.A., architect. Was born August 3, 1766, at Burton-on-Trent, where his father. Joseph Wyatt, practised as a surveyor, ana was educated at the free school in that town. He had an early passion to go to sea, and was rigged out to join the ' Royal George/ but was disappointed by her un- fortunate loss at Spithead. In 1783 he made another attempt to leave an irksome life at home and seek his fortune. He came to London, and, finding no oppor- tunity of entering the Navy, he was kindly received by his uncle, Samuel Wyatt, the architect, who took him into his office for seven years— on the completion of which, having gained a good knowledge of the routine of the profession, he was employed by another uncle, James Wyatt, R.A.. who had already greatly distinguished himself, and under nim made a special study of Gothic and old English archi- tecture. He also became known, through his uncle, to the Prince Regent and to many persons of distinction.

Not immediately finding employment as an architect, he joined in business with an eminent builder, and engaged in extensive government and other contracts. In this business he continued till 1824, when after an interval of 25 years, during which he had only incidentally done any work of a professional character, he was to his great surprise summoned to Windsor by George IV., and received his instructions relative to some proposed extensive alterations of the Castle. He had during his career de- signed several public and private buildings, including some large works at Wynnstay, and had exhibited at the Academy since 1794, and in 1798 sent a design which attracted much notice, called 'Priam's Palace/ but it was not till 1823 that he was elected an associate of the Academy, nor a full member till 1826. Parliament voted 3 dO.OdOl. for the improvements to be made at Windsor. Wyatt and three other architects were asked, to make designs, and, his bein^ selected by the commission- ers appointed to advise as to the appro-