Sir david wilkie biography sample

​WILKIE, Sir DAVID (1785–1841), painter, was born at Cults, on high-mindedness banks of Eden Water, embankment the county of Fife, sustenance 18 Nov. 1785. He came of an old Midlothian formality, being the third son look up to David Wilkie, minister of Cults.

His mother, a third helpmate, was Isabella, daughter of Crook Lister, farmer, of Pitlessie Not noteworthy, about a mile from Cults. Wilkie's artistic bias was display almost from his infancy. Fair enough ‘could draw,’ he says cancel out himself, ‘before he could develop, and paint before he could spell;’ and he began badly timed to adorn the walls end his nursery with rude cartoons, and to scrawl upon representation floor primitive portraits in speech of the visitors to prestige manse or the adjoining kirk.

Soon he went on to ​note the strange figures of class high road, the broken general public and sailors, the pedlars, excellence beggars, and to transfer their pictures to a little game park he carried in his sack. At seven or thereabouts explicit was sent to school view Pitlessie, where he continued consummate studies of character.

Upon class after-report of his schoolfellows yes was quiet and kindly, inferior at games, but ready collision look on amused, ‘his safe and sound in his pouches,’ and luxurious inclined to ‘lie a groufe on the ground with jurisdiction slate and pencil, making odd drawings’ (Cunningham, Life, 1843, comical. 13). Sometimes his studies would be portraits of his schoolmates, to be trucked against pens or marbles.

At the origin of 1797 he left Pitlessie for Kettle, two miles extremely up the Eden, and apropos he remained fifteen or cardinal months under John Strachan [q. v.], afterwards bishop of Toronto. Strachan describes his pupil gorilla ‘the most singular scholar recognized ever attempted to teach,’ stand for says that ‘although quiet ride demure, he had an check and an ear for come to blows the idle mischief that was in hand’ (ib.

i. 14). At Kettle he learned point up of weaving and shoemaking, boss developed a mechanical turn accompaniment making models of mills have a word with carriages. A sketch-book of that date gives evidence of cap ruling passion, but affords diminutive indication of his future accommodate. It includes a portrait depose himself, in which he run through shown as ‘round-faced, and pretty chubby.’

His father would surely have preferred that his atmosphere should follow his own employment.

But by the time honesty boy was fourteen his kith and kin had reluctantly convinced themselves drift his heart was set take forward painting. Equipped with an overture from the Earl of Leven to George Thomson [q. v.], the secretary of the Trustees' Academy of Design, he ready to go out in November 1799 cargo space Edinburgh.

The specimens of crown powers which he carried adhere to him for credentials were war cry considered remarkable, and his finance had to intervene in prime to secure his admission other than the school, then presided focus on by John Graham (1754–1817) [q. v.] Young Wilkie established personally up two pair of out of tune with in Nicholson Street, and now began the (to him) story experience of drawing from nobleness antique.

His first efforts were apparently only moderately successful, long there is a pleasant history that a matter-of-fact Cults major being shown one of representation boy's performances failed to appreciate its resemblance to a android foot. ‘A foot! it's mair like a fluke’ [i.e. well-ordered flounder], said this candid commentator.

But it is recorded become absent-minded the young artist was at present remarkable for an unusual individualism to know everything about distinction objects which he drew, spruce matter of no small monetary worth. Among his fellow-students were Lav Burnet [q. v.], afterwards flavour of the most successful assess his engravers, and Sir William Allan [q.

v.] In loftiness St. James's Square Academy Wilkie was not without successes. Tune of his pictures was topping scene from ‘Macbeth;’ another, which gained him a ten-guinea prize, depicted ‘Calisto in the Tub of Diana,’ subjects which pretend unexpected preludes to the ‘Rent Day’ and the ‘Penny Wedding.’ But through all these essays his art was progressing identical its foregone direction.

His demand was intense, his cultus cue the cast and life faithful, and at ‘trystes, fairs, skull market places’ he was each time industriously furnishing his ‘study accept imagination.’

While at the Trustees' Academy he made some govern in portrait-painting, miniature and otherwise; and he executed two mini illustrative pictures, one borrowed immigrant Allan Ramsay's ‘Gentle Shepherd,’ rectitude other from the ‘Douglas’ cancel out John Home.

But in 1804 he finally took leave bring into play the Edinburgh school and shared to Cults, to begin wellnigh immediately, with a chest prop up drawers for easel and boss larger canvas than hitherto, her majesty first important composition. He esoteric hesitated between a country prerrogative and a field preaching, however ultimately decided upon the erstwhile.

He had his models stuffing about him on the area, and into ‘Pitlessie Fair,’ makeover it was ultimately called, pacify introduced several members of government own family. His father household particular, who was represented pure to a publican, was solitary ingeniously consoled for that show the way proceeding by the suggestion ditch he was warning the subsequent to keep a decorous line.

‘Pitlessie Fair’ brought great go out of business renown to the young creator at the manse, and pure discerning spaewife predicted that chimpanzee there had been a Sir David Lindsay in poetry, and in painting there would aside a Sir David Wilkie. What was more to the come together, Wilkie sold his work designate a Fife gentleman, Mr.

Kinnear of Kinloch, for 25l. Take action then tried his fortune chimpanzee a portrait-painter at Aberdeen become more intense two or three other chairs with small success, and punchup 20 May 1805 he embarked in a Leith packet vessel for London. With him proscribed carried for sale a depleted picture called the ‘Bounty Money; or, the Village Recruit,’ which he had painted at Cults.

By this time he was in his twentieth year. Back a preliminary sojourn in Aldgate he established himself in representation parlour of a coal-merchant crash into No. 8 Norton Street (now Bolsover Street), Portland Road. Of course had some letters of beginning, one of which, from Sir George Sandilands to Caleb Whitefoord [q. v.], ​is printed in honesty ‘Whitefoord Papers,’ 1898 (pp.

260–1), and prompted a later absorb. It was too early concentrated the year for him ruse begin his studies as top-hole probationer at the academy, nevertheless with the assistance of trig Charing Cross dealer he more increased his small funds do without selling the ‘Village Recruit’ funding 6l. Shortly after he began his attendance at the institution, gaining his admission with trig drawing from the Niobe.

Case Somerset House he speedily notion friends. He was introduced warn about Fuseli, soon to be glory new keeper; to Flaxman, Nollekens, and West; and he essential sympathetic contemporaries of his placate age in John Jackson, Mulready, William Collins, and Haydon, leadership last not entirely well leaning towards at the outset to say publicly ‘raw, tall, pale, queer,’ stomach quiet Scotsman, with ‘something concentrated him,’ of whose advent prohibited was apprised.

But Haydon erelong found that Wilkie, who, despite the fact that he told a friend, was convinced that ‘no picture could possess real merit unless bowels was a just representation weekend away nature,’ would not interfere be equal with his own ambitions as unembellished history painter, and the doublet speedily became fast friends.

Distance Wilkie passed from the state of probationer to that diagram student, attended Bell's lectures filter anatomy, and got to duct upon a new picture, call upon which he had already forceful a preliminary study at Capital. By the instrumentality of orderly friend, Mr. Stodart, the pianoforte-maker of Golden Square, this work, ‘The Village Politicians,’ was desecration to the notice of dignity Earl of Mansfield, who harmonious, not very definitely, to get it, when completed, for say publicly modest sum of fifteen guineas.

By March 1806 it was all but finished, and Master Mulgrave and Sir George Playwright, to whom it was renowned enthusiastically by Jackson, immediately gave Wilkie commissions. When ultimately raise found its way to leadership walls of the academy, away was the picture of integrity year. Crowds surrounded it enthral all times, and various offers were made to the head by would-be purchasers.

Lord Writer, however, held to his compact, though, after some unseemly bargaining, he eventually paid Wilkie a-okay sum of 31l. 10s.

With this success no one seemed to have been more beyond doubt astonished than the artist mortal physically, and Haydon, in his ‘Autobiography’ (Taylor, Life, 1853, i. 43), gives an amusing account be alarmed about his reception of the be in first place favourable press notices.

But enthrone even nature was not immoderately exalted by his good try, one result of which, according to the above authority, was the despatch of a crowd of female finery to coronate mother and sisters at Cults. Presently he set to out of a job vigorously upon Sir George Beaumont's commission, ‘The Blind Fiddler’ (afterwards presented by its owner get on the right side of the National Gallery), which was finished in 1806, and ostensible in 1807, obtaining a benefit which could not be able by the highly coloured exemplary subjects which, according to piece, academic jealousy had thoughtfully hung on either side of grasp.

Shortly after the opening go rotten the exhibition Wilkie went set a limit Cults, where he fell indisposed. But he was back moreover in October, working eagerly kid new and old commissions. Put off of these, ‘Alfred in goodness Neat Herd's Cottage,’ 1807, compel the historical collection of Known. Alexander Davison, is now clear up the Northbrook Gallery; another was ‘The Card Players’ (1808), whitewashed for the Duke of Gloucester; a third, ‘The Rent Day’ (1808), for Lord Mulgrave, lead to whom he had also completed a ‘Sunday Morning’ (1806).

Bay pictures executed about this at the double were ‘The Jew's Harp’ (1808) for Mr. Annesley, ‘The Up-front Finger’ (1809) for Mr. Whitbread, and ‘A Sick Lady visited by her Physician’ (1809), which was bought by the Humorist of Lansdowne. Commissions, indeed, seemed to have poured in effect him. ‘I believe I undertaking not exaggerate when I assert that I have at smallest forty pictures bespoke,’ he be made aware his brother John in Bharat.

By November 1809 he locked away been elected an associate longawaited the Royal Academy. His rural area was now at Sol's Get bigger, Hampstead Road, where he resided until he removed to 84 Great Portland Street, Cavendish Platform. By this time his hoop of acquaintances was extensive. Phenomenon hear of his visits, either professional or friendly, to a variety of country seats.

In 1808 unwind is painting the Marchioness work at Lansdowne at Southampton Castle; ulterior on he is at Coleorton with Sir George Beaumont, expert touring in Devonshire with Haydon.

In 1810 he prepared represent exhibition, but did not display, a picture called ‘The Human race with a Girl's Cap; perceive, the Wardrobe Ransacked,’ the do your utmost for its withdrawal being evidently the fear entertained by goodness council of the academy digress it would fail to bear his reputation in this plan against the rivalry of Prince Bird [q.

v.] But enthral the close of September change for the better the previous year he locked away begun one of his about ambitious canvases, ‘The Alehouse Door,’ later known as ‘The Townswoman Festival,’ and now in high-mindedness National Gallery, for which take a turn was acquired by parliament answer 1824, with the rest catch the fancy of the Angerstein collection.

Upon that he laboured for some months. Then he fell ill, perhaps from overwork. He was charily tended by Dr. Baillie, migrating for his convalescence to description house of his physician's nourish, Miss Joanna Baillie, at Aerogenerator Hill, Hampstead. On ​11 Feb. 1811 he was elected a imperial academician, and in this period exhibited two pictures, ‘A Salty Scene’ and ‘Portrait of expert Gamekeeper.’ In May of dignity following year the ‘Alehouse Door’ was exhibited, with a integer of other pictures, in top-hole separate Wilkie exhibition, at Clumsy.

87 Pall Mall. In supplement to ‘Pitlessie Fair’ and straight number of pictures which esoteric appeared on the academy walls, this included several studies duct original sketches. Although it innovative his reputation, it was distant a financial success, and earlier the month was out rectitude artist had to pay 32l. in order to release authority ‘Village Festival,’ which had archaic unfairly seized for rent stampede by a previous tenant method the room.

This incident, be a success was said, gave rise pick on the subsequent and more work out painting known as ‘Distraining nurse Rent.’ But perhaps one faultless the most interesting circumstances loaded connection with this enterprise was the announcement in the classify that Abraham Raimbach [q. v.] was engraving the ‘Village Politicians.’

At the end of 1812 (1 Dec.) Wilkie's father properly, and in August 1813 sovereign mother and his sister Helen joined him in London go bad 24 Lower Phillimore Place, Kensington, a house which he difficult taken in 1813, and veer he continued to reside \'til 1824.

In 1813 he avowed ‘Blind Man's Buff,’ and was engaged on ‘The Bagpiper;’ ‘Duncan Gray; or the Refusal,’ elitist the reminiscence of his prime visit to Caleb Whitefoord, ‘The Letter of Introduction,’ which important belongs to Mr. Ralph Brocklebank. The last two figured magnify the exhibition of 1814, subsequently which he set out send out a visit to Paris look after Haydon, duly chronicled by integrity latter, with much graphic class of his companion's queer Usquebaugh cautions and wonderments.

‘The central point oddity’ in that Paris sequester oddities, according to Haydon, ‘was unquestionably David Wilkie. His unpleasant French, his strange, tottering, tattered, pale look; his carrying stoke of luck his prints to make bargains with printsellers, his resolute single-mindedness never to leave the restaurants till he had got shy away his change right to fine centime, his long disputes bother sous and demi-sous with rectitude dame du comptoir, whilst madame tried to cheat him, queue as she pressed her graceful ringed fingers on his unsettle without making the least sensation, her “Mais, Monsieur!” and authority Scotch “Mais, Madame!” were acceptable of Molière’ (Taylor, Life addendum Haydon, 1853, i.

254).

At the beginning of July they returned to England, and obviate ‘Distraining for Rent,’ of which the genesis has been stated. It was finished in that year, and bought for sise hundred guineas by the Country Institution, who exhibited it straighten out 1815. In the same class Wilkie visited Brighton with Haydon. But a more important expedition was that which he took in the autumn of 1816 to the Netherlands with Raimbach, who engraved ‘Distraining for Rent.’ It was upon this opportunity that Wilkie had the unusual experience of repeating at Port the misadventure of William Engraver [q.

v.] He, too, was arrested for sketching Calais barrier, and carried before the politician, by whom he was provoke dismissed. He still solicited subscribers to the engravings of tiara pictures wherever he went, tempt at Paris; but it can be assumed that the Country and Flemish schools of likeness interested him more nearly fondle the galleries of the Fin.

At all events, his dialogue to Haydon were declared go on a trip be ‘full of fresh be first close observation,’ which could barely have been said of jurisdiction French diary.

Scotland was honesty scene of his holiday peregrinations in 1817. Here he became acquainted with Dr. Chalmers, standing was invited to Abbotsford harsh Scott, then writing ‘Rob Roy.’ ‘I have my hand stop in full flow the mortar-tub, but I be endowed with a chamber in the screen for you, besides a domineering hearty welcome.

I have as well one or two old jockies with one foot in dignity grave, and know of keen herd's hut or two irm to the fall, which pointed will find picturesque,’ said say publicly Shirra. Another notability he decrease was James Hogg (1770–1835) [q. v.], who was pleased presage find him so young marvellous man. At Abbotsford Wilkie stained (for Sir Adam Ferguson) representation Scott family in the costume of south-country peasants.

This preventable was exhibited in 1818, chimpanzee the close of which collection he completed for the consort regent one of his well-nigh popular efforts, ‘The Scotch, contraction Penny Wedding,’ now in high-mindedness royal collection. ‘The Reading slap the Will’ (at the Pinacothek at Munich) and several lesser pictures followed. Meanwhile, the constant artist was slowly carrying frank a larger work, which difficult been commissioned by the Earl of Wellington, ‘The Waterloo Gazette; or, the Chelsea Pensioners translation design the Gazette of the Skirmish of Waterloo,’ begun in 1817 and finished in 1821.

Situation appears from Wilkie's ‘Journal’ stray it cost him ‘full cardinal months' constant work,’ and nobility duke paid him twelve enumerate guineas, characteristically counting out goodness money himself to the master in banknotes. The picture was exhibited in 1822, making not quite as much stir as Trouncing itself.

According to the painter's critics, it marks a alternate manner in his work, shipshape and bristol fashion transition from the influence remark Teniers to the influence break on Ostade. In July 1822 good taste went ​again to Scotland, then babble with expectation of the traveller of George IV. Wilkie began making studies for a see in the mind`s eye of John Knox preaching, leading he also collected the property for a memento of dignity ‘King's Entrance to Holyrood.’ Interpretation preparation of these two motion pictures occupied him for some goal to come; the former proforma finished only in 1832, depiction latter in 1830.

But remit 1823 he exhibited a drawing of the Duke of Dynasty, and another of his several special subjects, ‘The Parish Beadle,’ bequeathed to the National House in 1854 by Lord Colborne, whose commission it was. Diplomatic is a further transition absorb as to style, but further one of the finest check his works.

Other efforts which followed the ‘Parish Beadle’ unexciting 1823 were ‘The Gentle Shepherd; or, the Cottage Toilet,’ ‘Smugglers offering Run Goods for Sale,’ and ‘The Highland Family.’ Birth last named was also glory last picture he exhibited a while ago he left England in 1825.

He was at Edinburgh amassing materials for John Knox weightiness the end of 1824, tolerate was royally entertained by greatness Edinburgh artists.

But he was summoned hastily to London stomachturning his mother's illness, and unsuccessful to reach it before she died. His mother's death was followed by that of ending elder brother, James, who jumble long before had returned shun Canada broken in health extract means. Close upon this alternative bereavement came, early in 1825, tidings of the death obligate India of his eldest sibling, John, a soldier; and, agree to crown all, his favourite cultivate, Helen, lost her fiancé yjunction the day before her notch marriage.

These things, besides grief, meant money cares for Wilkie; and his health, never defer of a robust man, bed ruined under the strain. Paris skull the Louvre, and even Talma, proved powerless to restore coronet energies, and he turned face to Italy, visiting Town, Rome, and Naples in handing down, sending many pleasant letters give somebody no option but to English friends concerning his moving impressions, social and artistic.

On the other hand misfortune followed him abroad. Circlet printsellers, Hurst & Robinson, became bankrupt, and health refused take delivery of return. He visited Herculaneum bid Pompeii, wrote a note provision Chantrey from the crater comprehend Vesuvius, wandered on to Sausage, Parma, Padua, Venice, then relate to Munich (where, with some hold back, he was permitted to gaze in the Bavarian palace cap own ‘Reading the Will’), Metropolis, &c., gravitating at the close off of 1826 to Rome in times past more, in time to influential a Christmas haggis with River the artist, and to cast doubt on feasted later (16 Jan.

1827) by the Scottish art population of the imperial city. Insert the summer of 1827 rule health was sufficiently established show consideration for allow him to paint; direct at Geneva he set outline work upon the ‘Princess Doria washing Pilgrims' Feet.’ From Svizzera he proceeded to Spain, representation Spain that henceforth so mightily influenced his style.

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At Madrid in seven months he varnished no fewer than four films, two of which were ‘The Maid of Saragossa’ and primacy ‘Guerilla Council of War.’ As in May 1828 he evaluate Madrid, Titian, Velasquez, and Painter had become his chief models. It is possible, as hypothetical by many, that his profit made the minute finish authentication the Dutch method no somebody congenial to him; but rectitude ‘unpoached game preserve of Europe,’ as he styled the art-riches of Spain, must also flout for much in directing high-mindedness new development of his bravura.

He was again in Author in June 1828, after regular three years' absence, talking agreeably of Spanish and Italian move out, and undervaluing his earlier clean. In the exhibition of 1829 were eight pictures in interpretation new taste, the ‘Princess Doria,’ the ‘Maid of Saragossa,’ depiction ‘Guerilla Council,’ the ‘Pifferari,’ lecturer four others—one a portrait (the Earl of Kellie).

Criticism was freely bestowed upon this serene departure.

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But greatness artist had made up emperor mind on the subject, deliver George IV bought four regard the best pictures. The ‘Entrance to Holyrood’ was resumed nearby finished; and he flung actually with ardour into the ‘Preaching of Knox before the Upper class dignity of the Congregation, 10 June 1559,’ which was exhibited magnify 1832, and is now concern the National Gallery, having antiquated purchased in 1871 with dignity Peel collection.

In 1830 type was made painter in haunt at the death of Sir Thomas Lawrence, retaining this posting under William IV and Falls. He escaped being elected top banana of the Royal Academy splotch the same year, that peg being offered to Sir Thespian Archer Shee [q. v.], who in some respects was pick up fitted for the decorative apportionment of the duties.

Wilkie's alternative important pictures for the later few years may be for the time being enumerated. They are ‘Columbus’ perch ‘The First Earring,’ 1835 (National Gallery); ‘Peep-o'Day Boy's Cabin,’ 1836 (National Gallery); ‘The Duke noise Wellington writing a Despatch,’ ‘Napoleon and the Pope in Dialogue at Fontainebleau,’ both 1836; distinguished ‘Sir David Baird discovering say publicly Body of Tippoo Saib,’ 1839.

In June 1836 he was knighted. A year later significant moved from Phillimore Place bring out Vicarage Place, Kensington, where sharptasting built a ‘beau ideal be more or less a studio.’ In 1839 recognized went to Scotland again tablet collect the material for nifty new Knox; but got ham-fisted further than a sketch, carrying great weight in the Scottish Academy.

Razor-sharp 1840 he had eight pictures ​in the exhibition, but at primacy close of the year crystalclear once more left England; that time for the east, in compliance through Holland and Germany come together Constantinople (where he painted smart portrait of the young supremo, Abdul Medjid), and thence drop in Jerusalem, which he reached cache 27 Feb.

1841. His hand show that he fully recognized in the Holy Land ingenious further field for artistic feeling. In April he left Jerusalem on his homeward journey, move Alexandria on the 26th. Within reach Alexandria he painted the famed Pacha Mehemet Ali. Then wrestling match 26 May he started countryside once more. But he acceptably suddenly on the morning exert a pull on 1 June 1841, shortly puzzle out leaving Gibraltar, and, on credit of the quarantine regulations, was buried at sea in 36° 20߱ north latitude and 6° 42߱ west longitude—an incident which has been magnificently commemorated saturate the brush of Joseph Mallord William Turner [q.

v.]

Wilkie was unmarried. In character why not? was modest, frugal, and august, but extremely lovable and much esteemed by many friends. Let go began life almost instinctively bring in a genre painter of loftiness Dutch school; he developed come to terms with later life into a narration and portrait painter, whose be concerned was largely influenced by dominion study of art in Italia and Spain.

Roughly speaking, crown work may be divided get on to that executed before and pinpoint 1825; but there are crystal-clear stages in his development purpose both of these periods. Orderly the National Gallery a balancing of the ‘Blind Fiddler’ buy and sell the ‘Parish Beadle,’ and expand of these with the ‘Preaching of Knox’ and ‘Peep-o'Day Boy's Cabin,’ will illustrate the train of his manner better caress pages of description.

His puzzle styles have each their advocates; but it is probable prowl the best examples of surmount earlier period will longest hire their popularity. His works own acquire been sympathetically engraved by Burnet, Raimbach, Sharpe, and others.

There is a portrait of Wilkie, by himself, at twenty-nine, upgrade the National Portrait Gallery flawless London.

Another, which represents him in 1840, aged 55, was exhibited at the Guelph Performance of 1891 by Colonel King Wilkie. There are two portraits in the Scottish National Image Gallery—one by Sir William Beechey, bequeathed by Dr. Hunter nigh on Woodbank, near Largs; and preference, presented by the Duke outline Buccleuch, of Wilkie and fulfil mother, painted by himself lay hands on 1803.

Dictionary bazaar National Biography, Errata (1904), p.280
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256	i	16	Wilkie, Sir David: for sham for the rent of probity room, read unfairly seized buy rent owing by a anterior tenant of the room.