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painter about 1781, and was appointed botanical painter to the Prince of Wales. His last contribution to the Academy ' Exhibition was in 1791.
BROWN, Richard, architectural draftsman. He devoted himself to the theory and teaching of his profession. He nrst exhibited at the Academy an architectural drawing in 1793, and con- tinued to exhibit works of this class. In 1811, * Interior of Chester Cathedral ;' in 1826, * Interior of Exeter Cathedral ; ' the following year an exceptional work, ' The Angel delivering St. Peter out of Prison ; ' and in 1828 his last contribution was. ' A View of Exeter Cathedral.' He published, in 1815, ' The Principles of Practical Per- spective ; ' in 1822, ' Rudiments of Draw- ing/ * Cabinet and Upholstery Furniture;' in 1841, 'Domestic Architecture ; ' and in 1845, ' Sacred Architecture.'
BROWN, Robert, decorative painter. Born in London. Was the pupil and as- sistant to Sir James Thornhifl, working under him upon the cupola of St. Paul's. He was also assistant to Verrio and La Guerre, and afterwards set up for himself, and found employment in the decoration of the City churches and as a si<m painter. The altar-piece of St. Andrew, undershaft, is by him ; as also some original paintings in St. Botolph, Aldgate, and St. Andrew^. Holborn ; but much of his work consisted in painting crimson curtains and religious emblems, which were then common. He painted some portraits, and there are two mezzo-tint engravings by McArdell after children painted by him. He was the master of Frank Haynian, R.A. He died December 26, 1753.
- •*! BROWNE, Alexander, limner and
mezzo-tint engraver. He practised in the reign of Charles II., and was also a dealer in paintings. He engraved both in mezzo- tint and with the needle. He painted, among other portraits, Charles II., the Countess Stewart, and the Prince of Orange. He published, in 166.9, 'Ars Pictoria; or, An Academy treating of Drawing, Painting, Limning, and Etching,' illustrated with 31 etchings by his own hand; and in 1677, *A Compendious Drawing-book.'
BROWNE, John, A.E., landscape en- graver. Erroneously stated by Bryan to have been born at Oxford 1719, was born at Finchinfield, Essex (of which parish his maternal grandfather was vicar), April 26, 1741, six months after the death of his father, who was rector of Booton, Norfolk. He was educated at Norwich, and in 1756 was apprenticed to Tinney, the engraver and printseller, in London, with whom he continued till 1761, completing his time with Woollett, who had been his fellow-
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apprentice, and remaining with him three years after as his assistant In 1768 he finished a fine plate of 'St. John' after Salvator Rosa, the figures by Hall, which at once gave him distinction ; and in 1770 he was elected associate engraver of the Royal Academy, where he was an exhibitor from 1771 to 1783. On leaving Woollett he commenced a series of fine works after Rubens, Poussin, Paul Brill, Both, Swan- nevelt, and also executed two large works after Hodges, R.A. ; all of which plates were published by Alderman Boydell be- tween 1768 and 1795. In 1796-98 he engraved and published from his own drawings four plates — ' Morning,' * Even- ing,' * After Sunset,' and Moonlight.' His other chief works were from sketches by Gainsborough, R.A., and a forest scene after Sir George Beaumont. He was the friend and neighbour of his great rival in art William Sharp, while residing in Lam- beth, and died after a long illness in West Lane, Walworth, October 2, 1801, leaving a widow with three sons and a (laughter. He was distinguished as an etcher and en- graver of landscapes; his style was bold and beautiful in its variety — particularly in his foregrounds ; but his distances had a tendency to be heavy and black — want- ing gradation and air.
BROWNE, William, gem engraver. In early life he was much employed by the Empress of Russia, who appointed him her 'gem sculptor.' He then resided for a time in Paris (was there in 1788), and was patronised by the Court of Louis XVI. On the Revolution he quitted France and followed his art in London, where he failed to receive due appreciation. He exhibited at the Royal Academy at intervals from 1770 to 1811, and then for the last time in 1823. His contributions were classic heads, impressions, and gems — ' Venus,' l Hebe/ ' Dying Gladiator,' * Piety of JSneas,' and later in his career, a series of portraits of illustrious persons, cut with spirit and feeling, many of which are in the royal collection ; but his best works were sent to Russia, are of a high order, and are mostly distinguished by his initials. He died in John Street, Fitzroy Square, July 20, 1825, in his 77th year. Charles Browne, who lived with him, exhibited works of the same class from 1780 to 1789. Died June 1, 1795,aged 46.
BROWNE, J. C, A.R.S.A., landscape painter. He was born in 1805, at Glas-
fow, where he commenced his art studies. Ie visited Holland, Flanders, and Spain, and on his return spent several years in London. He then settled for a time in Glasgow, and finally removed to Edin- burgh. He usually painted Scotch scenes — 'The last of the Clan Giencoe, Dawn Morning of the Massacre,' 'The Ferry
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