BRO
BRO
both in oil and water-colours, and painted in a broad, free manner. Among his water-colours are a series of street views in Dublin, dated 1817, well drawn and filled with figures and animals, in which latter he excelled.
BROCAS, William, R.H.A., portrait painter. He was the brother of the fore- going, and practised in Dublin, both in oil and water-colours. He was also much en- gaged in teaching. He left a large collection of prints and etchings.
BROCKEDON, William, subject and history painter. Born October 13, 1787, at Totnes. Son of a watchmaker there, whose family had been known in the county from the time of Henry IV. His father died early, and for five years he managed to carry on the business. Haying a love of art, he then came to London, and gained admission, in 1809, as student of the Royal Academy. He studied assidu- ously, and in 1812 exhibited two portraits, and the next year a portrait of Miss Booth, the actress, as 'Juliet/ which obtained him notice. In 1814 he exhibited a painting of a higher class, and also sent in a plaster model of ' Adam and Eve/ in competition for the Academy medal. He took the opportunitv in 1815 to visit the galleries in Paris, then temporarily so rich, and the Belgian cities ; and in 1818 was again, in sculpture, a competitor for the Academy medal; and the same year painted 'The Resurrection of the Widow's Son/ for which he received a premium of 100£. from the British Institution ; and for the following seven years was led to engage in large historical works, an attempt which he then abandoned. He had in this period married, and had visited the chief Italian cities in the summers of 1821-1822, spending a winter in Rome.
On his return in 1822 he settled in London, and painted pictures of a smaller size, and of subjects more suited to the public taste — 'rfifferari/ 'Psyche borne by Zephyrs/ 'L' Allegro/ 'Galileo visited in Prison by Milton/ ' Burial of Sir John Moore/ ' Raphael and the Fornarina/ some of which were engraved. Between 1828-30 he published 'Illustrations of the Passes of the Alps/ followed by ' Journals of Ex- cursions in the Alps.' He edited Finden's ' Illustrations of the Life of Byron/ 1833- 34; 'The Road-book from London to Naples/ 1835 ; ' Italy, classical and pic- turesque/ 1842-43; 'Egvpt and Nubia, from drawings by David. Roberts, R.A.' 1846—49. He was clever and of active invention, and in his latter years devoted himself to science rather than art. He contrived a rest for painters engaged in minute works, also a support for a weak knee-joint ; he made improvements in steel-pens, and utilised the waste of black-
lead in the manufacture of pencils. He patented some chemical processes in caout- chouc, a method of drawing gold and silver wire, and arrangements for warming build- ings ; and is reputed to have amassed property by his inventions. He was the founder of the Graphic Society, and was F.R.S. and member of the academies of Florence and Rome. He died August 29, 1854, in his 67th year, and was buried in the cemetery of Si George-the-Martyr, Bloomsbury.
BROCK Y, Charles, portrait and sub- ject painter. He was born in 1808, of peasant parents, at Banat, in Hungary. The son of a hair-dresser ? and early an orphan, he commenced Me with some strolling players. He endured many vicis- situdes — was servant in a cook's-shop and assistant to a barber. Eventually he was placed in a free drawing school in Vienna, and, while undergoing sad privations, managed to acquire some knowledge of art. He then found his way to Paris, and became a student in the Louvre ; and from thence, when about 30 years of age, he came to London, and in 1839 first appears as an exhibitor of portrait studies and heads at the Royal Academy. Making friends, he continued to exhibit portraits in pencil, and some miniatures on ivory, and settled in the Metropolis. In 1850 he exhibited a ' Nymph in oil ; in the following year a ' Psyche ' and ' Venus and Phaon ; ' in 1852. ' Spring/ ' Summer, 'Autumn/ and 'Winter/ four pictures; and in the next two years, classic and subject pictures. He was also successful in his portraits, and reckoned the Queen among nis sitters. He died July 8, 1855. A sketch of his life, by Norman Wilkinson, was published in 1870.
BRODIE, Alexander, sculptor. Born 1830. Was the brother of W. Brodie, R.S.A., and commenced life as a brass finisher. Having a taste for art, he tried modelling, and was rising into reputation in his practice at Aberdeen when he died suddenly there. May 30, 1867, at the age of 36. He exhibited at the Royal Aca- demy, in 1864, 'The Mitherless Lassie' and 'Cupid and Mask.' The statue of Queen Victoria in Aberdeen is by him, and also the statue of the Duke of Rich* mond at Huntly, Scotland.
BROME, Charles, engraver. Son of a linen-draper. Was apupil of Skelton, and a good draftsman. He engraved a portrait of Pitt, after Owen ; and was engaged upon Romney's picture of 'Contemplation' when he was accidentally drowned bathing in the Serpentine, April 23, 1801, aged 27.
BROMLEY, William, A.E., line en- graver. Bora at Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight, m 1769. He was apprenticed to Wooding, an engraver in London, and soon gaining
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