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original drafts of his medals are preserved in the manuscript department of the British Museum.
CROLL, Francis, engraver. Was born in 1827, at Edinburgh, and served his apprenticeship there. He became a good draftsman in the schools of the Scottish Academy, and attained proficiency in engraving. He engraved 'The Tired Soldier,' after Goodall, A.R.A., for the Art Union, and several portraits. His last work was an illustration for the 'Cottar's Saturday Night,' after Faed, a commission by the Scottish Association for the Encouragement of Art. When on the road to distinction in his art, he died of heart-disease, at the age of 27, February 12, 1854.
CROME, John (known as 'Old Crome'), landscape painter. Was born at Norwich, December 22, 1768. He was the son of a poor weaver, and began life as a doctor's boy, carrying out the medicine. When of a suitable age, moved by some love of drawing, he became the apprentice of a house and sign painter, and soon began to sketch from nature, while following his trade, the picturesque scenery which surrounds his native city. He was poor, very poor, but he persevered, and his perseverance gained him friends. He found some resource as a teacher of drawing, yet he was but an awkward and uninformed country lad, gifted, indeed, with great natural shrewdness. He married early, and his efforts were doubly taxed to provide for a family rapidly increasing. He had the good fortune to obtain admission to a neighbouring collection, where there were some good examples of the Dutch school; and he paid some hasty visits to London, and thus gained greater art knowledge. He earned after a time at least a local reputation, and his works found occasional purchasers, but at low prices.
In February 1803 he gathered round him the artists of his native city for their mutual improvement, and from this beginning the Norwich Society of Artists arose, founded in 1805. The Society held their annual exhibitions, to which Crome was a large contributor, rarely sending his pictures to the Metropolis for exhibition. His pupils and associates, among whom Vincent, Stark, and Cotman were distinguished, formed what is known as the 'Norwich School,' whose art inspiration was derived from Crome. He visited Paris in 1814, and there made sketches. He was not tempted to the Metropolis, but continued to reside in his native city, where he died, April 22, 1821, after only a few days' illness.
Crome's art was founded on the Dutch school, to the esteemed masters of which some of his best works closely approximated. He chose his subjects in the lanes, heaths, and river-banks surrounding Norwich, and was easily satisfied. They were painted in his studio, from sketches, and were the result of careful study and observation. They charm by their sweet colour and tone, their true rustic nature and fine sense of generalised imitation. Little known and unduly esteemed in his lifetime, his works have now greatly increased, and will continue to increase, in repute and value. His picture of 'Mouse-hold Heath,' in the National Gallery, is a good example of his style and art. In 1834 a series of 31 etchings by him was published under the title of 'Norfolk picturesque Scenery;' and in 1838 a second issue appeared, with some additional plates.
CROME, John Bernay, landscape painter. Eldest son of 'Old Crome,' was born in 1793. He was educated at the Free School, Norwich, and afterwards under Dr. Valpy. Brought up to art, he first exhibited at Norwich, and in 1811 appears as an exhibitor at the Royal Academy. In 1814 he exhibited there 'Old Buildings on the Norwich River,' and continued to exhibit occasionally up to 1843. Several of his later works were moonlight scenes. He resided for several years at Great Yarmouth, where he died, September 15, 1842, in his 49th year. His works were very unequal, and he never took any place in art. His brother was also brought up as an artist, and exhibited at Norwich, but did not succeed, and left the profession.
CROMEK, Robert Hartly, engraver. Was born at Hull, June 1771. He was intended for the law, but allowed to follow his own inclination. Fond of literature and art, he passed some time in study at Manchester, and showing a taste for engraving, he was sent to London, and became a pupil of Bartolozzi. He engraved many book-plates after Stothard, but he was constitutionally unfitted for the close application required by his profession, and being of an active disposition, took up the trade of printseller and publisher. He induced Blake to illustrate Blair's 'Grave,' and this publication was his first venture. He lies under the accusation of having seen Blake's 'Canterbury Pilgrims,' and of then engaging Stothard to paint the same subject for him as an engraver's speculation—a charge which was refuted by his son. He certainly had a violent quarrel with Blake, and probably gave him some grounds for his epigrammatic scorn—
'Cromek loves artists as he loves his meat;
He loves the art, but 'tis the art to cheat!'
He died of consumption, in Newman Street, London, March 12, 1812, aged 42.
CRONE, Robert, landscape painter.
