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did not take to the law, and after two years quitted it. and coming up to London in 1824, he made himself known to Flax- man, R.A., by whose advice he entered the schools of the Royal Academy. He articled himself to R. W. Sievier, the sculptor, for a short time, and then, follow- ing the advice of Flaxman. went to Italy in 1825 on an allowance made by his father, and studied during two years in Rome. He returned to London in 1828, having seen the principal works in Italy, and setting up a studio, completed a small figure of Sigismunda, and two small sta- tuettes of Chaucer and Spencer ; but com- ing to the end of his money, he obtained employment as a modeller to Chantrey, R.A. This engagement he threw up on the refusal of his application for an increase of pay, and was then employed by Bailey, R A., and afterwards by Behnes, and, gaining strength, he determined to work on his own account. On the death of Chantrey. he was employed to complete for New College, Oxford, the colossal statues of Lords Eldon and Stowell, for which Chantrey has left slight sketches, but he was only able to finish, the plaster models. He executed the model for one of the bas- reliefs of the ( Battle of St. Vincent* for the gedestal of the Nelson Column in Trafalgar miare. His chief other works were a Hebe and Iris at Bowood, a monument to Dr. Cameron, the statue of Queen Elizabeth in the Royal Exchange, a bas-relief in the Hall of Commerce, Tnreadneedle Street, and a monunent to his friend, Allan Cun- ningham. He had suffered for some years from heart complaint, and died just as he was rising into reputation, October 28, 1847. His ' Life and Works ' was published by Dr. Lonsdale in 1866.
WATSON, Samuel, carver and sculp- tor. Was bora at Heanor, Derbyshire, in December 1663. He was employed on the works at Chatsworth, and executed Some of the fine carvings commonly attributed to Grinling Gibbons. The dead game over the chimney-piece in the great chamber is by his hand., and for this and other decora- tions in the same chamber in lime-tree wood, all completed in 1693, he was paid 133Z. Is. The trophy containing the cele- brated pen over the door in the south-west corner room is likewise his work. He also executed the arms in the pediment of the west front in 17(14; the stone carvings in the north front, finished in 1707 ; and other of the decorations, both in wood and stone. Walpole says that Gibbons had several disciples and workmen, and that Watson chiefly assisted him at Chatsworth, where the carved boys, and many of the other ornaments in the chapel, were executed by him ; but it seems clear, from his having made his own bill for the above works. 460
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that he executed them on his own account. He died at Heanor, March 31, 1715.
WATSON, George, P.R.S.A., portrait painter. Was born in 1767, at Ovennains. Berwickshire, where his father possessed. some property* After receiving some elementary instructions from Alexander Nasmyth, he came to London at the age of 18, and painted in Sir Joshua Reynolds^ studio for about two years. He afterwards settled in Edinburgh, where he was exten- sively employed, and was long the con- temporary of Sir H. Raeburn, with whom he maintained an honourable rivalry. From 1808-12 he presided over the Associated Artists of Scotland, and at that time sent some portraits to the Royal Academy ex- hibition in London. On the foundation of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1830, he was elected the president, and held that office till his death, at Edinburgh, August 24 1837.
WATSON, William Smellie, R.S.A., portrait painter. Son of the above, was born at Edinburgh in 1796. He studied under his father, and at the Trustees' School in Edinburgh. In 1815 he came to London, and entered as a student at the Royal Academy, where he continued five years. He was also nearly a year with Wilkie, and, it is said, helped him while he was painting i The Penny Wed- ding/ and other pictures. When he re- turned to Edinburgh to settle, he practised as a portrait painter. He was one of the original members of the Royal Scottish Academy, and a constant contributor to its exhibitions. He died in November 1874.
WATT, James Henry, engraver. Was born in London, 1799, and at 16 became a pupil of Charles Heath, but by his careful study developed a manner of his own, and was greatly distinguished as a line-engraver. He always worked upon copper. His art is marked by great decision, dexterity ? and taste, is brilliant and finished, and evinces great art power. Among his best works are Stothard's ' Procession of the Flitch of Bacon/ Eastlake's * Christ Blessing Little Children/ and Landseer's * Highland Drov- ers/ Suffering from illness, added to domestic affliction, he died in June 1867, aged 68.
WATTS, Walter Henry, miniature painter. He was, in 1808, a member of the short-lived Society of Associated Artists in Water-Colours, and was from that year to 1830 an exhibitor of miniatures at the Royal Academy, sometimes painting a subject in oil. But he gained a name as a miniature painter.
WATTS, John, landscape painter. Born about 1770, he practised his art in London. He drew views in Scotland and Wales, and painted several subjects in oil
