Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/158

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

EBD

Academy proposed to give him, was declined by his widow, and he was carried to his grave in the Kensal Green Cemetery, surrounded by his friends. He received the honorary degree of D.C.L. at Oxford, was a chevalier of the Legion of Honour, and an honorary member of some foreign academies. As a painter, he fell short in his maturity of the early promise of his youth. His works have great refinement of feeling and idea, beauty of expression and graceful arrangement, but were over-finished, and did not exhibit any krgeness of manner or execution. He seemed unable to realise the promptings of his cultivated genius. In office ne was a painstaking and conscientious adminis- trator, anxious to adapt the usefulness of the Academy over which he presided to the wants of the time. As a writer and critic, he was earnest in the promotion of art and the interests of its professors. His chief published works are — ' Materials for a His-

edited with notes, 1855 ; and to these may be added some writings on subjects of pass- ing interest, with reports and addresses to the students of the Academy.

EBDON, Christopher, architect and topographical draftsman. He was one of the early painters of tinted views, and a member of the Incorporated Society of Artists in 1766. He contributed to the Society's Exhibitions in 1767 and 1770. An interior view of Durham Cathedral by him was engraved and published in 1769.

ECC ARDT (or Eokhardt), John Giles, portrait painter. Born in Germany. Came to England when young, and was the pupil of J. B. Vanloo. He settled in London, where he gained some reputation as a por- trait painter. He painted Sir Robert Wal- pole and his first wife, Catherine Shorter ; Peg Woflington, in 1745 ; Dr, Middleton ; ana others. There were several whole- lengths by him in the Strawberry Hill col- lection . His works were carefully painted, but showed little of the genius of a master. Walpole addressed to hini, in 1746, 'The Beauties/ a little poem. His collection was sold by auction at Langford's in 1770, and he retired to Chelsea, where he died in October 1779.

ECKSTEIN, John, modeller and por- trait painter. Was born in Germany; studied art in this country, and was a pupil of the Royal Academy. In 1762 and in 1764 he gained a premium at the Society of Arts for a basso-rilievo in Portland stone. In 1770 he exhibited at the Aca- demy portraits modelled in wax, and in 1780 was an unsuccessful competitor for the Academy gold medal for a model of 'Adam and Eve.' He was employed by

in

EDM

Mr. Carter, and carved the two figures in basso-rilievo, which were greatly admired by Flaxman, R.A., for the Townshend monument on the south wall of Westminster Abbey. He practised for a time in Bir- mingham, ana sent from thence in 1792 Portraits for exhibition at the Academy, n 1796 he resided in London, and then exhibited ' The Soldier's Return ' and a por- trait-group of a lady and children, both paintings in oiL In 1798 he exhibited both models and paintings, and these were his last contributions.

• EDEMA, Gerard, landscape painter. Born at Friesland (or, as some state, at Amsterdam) in 1652. He was a pupil of Everdingen, and came to England in 1670. He then made voyages to Norway, New- foundland, and the British Colonies ii America, collecting subjects for his pic tures. lie delighted in the wild scenery of rocks and waterfalls. He could not

Skint the figure, and was assisted by Wyck. e lived some time at Mount Edgecuinbe, and painted many views in that neighbour- hood:. He was intemperate in his habits, by which his early death, which took place at Richmond in 1700, was accelerated.

EDMONSTONE, Robert, subject painter. Was born at Kelso, N.B.* in 1795, of respectable parents, and was ap- prenticed to a watchmaker, out he was so attached to art, that under many difficul- ties he found means to pursue it. He brought his first works to Edinburgh, and received such encouragement that he was induced to come to London, as a larger field in which to pursue his studies, deter- mined to follow art as his profession. He became a student at the Academy, and also received some assistance from Harlow. He exhibited some portraits at the Aca- demy in 1818, and again in 1819, when he managed to visit the Continent. He re- mained abroad some years, diligently following his studies in Rome, Naples, Venice, Florence, and other cities. He returned to London and commenced prac- tice as a portrait painter, exhibiting from 1824 to 1829 portraits and portrait-groups, but his chief thoughts were directed to subject pictures, works of imagination, into which he introduced children with great truth and grace. In 1830 he exhibited ' Italian Boys playing at CardV He was in Italy a second time in 1831-32, and on his return exhibited, in 1833, * Venetian Water-Carriers/ and in 1834, some portraits of children. His works were marked by a refined sentiment ; the composition and action of the figures treated with much sim- plicity. His career seemed one of much promise, but his constitution had suffered under a severe attack of fever at Rome. His health gave way. He tried his native air, but without rehef, and died at Kelso,

137