Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Goupy, Lewis

1200605Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 22 — Goupy, Lewis1890Lionel Henry Cust ‎

GOUPY, LEWIS (d. 1747), painter, born in France, came before 1710 to London, where he is said to have had a brother already resident as a fan-painter. In 1711 we find him, as ‘Mr Goupee, senr,’ a subscriber to the new academy of painting started under Sir Godfrey Kneller in Great Queen Street. In 1720 he was one of the seceding members who started the academy in St. Martin's Lane under Louis Cheron [q. v.] and Vanderbank. He painted portraits in oil, and also drew in crayons and tempera. He obtained some repute as a miniature-painter. He is said to have been patronised by Lord Burlington, whom he attended on his journey to Italy. His own portrait, painted by himself, was engraved in mezzotint by G. White, and later in line by J. Thomson. White also engraved after him a portrait of Mr. Isaac the dancing-master. Goupy died in 1747, and in February 1747–8 his collections were sold by auction. They comprised numerous drawings of his own. Joseph Goupy [q. v.] was his nephew.

[Walpole's Anecdotes of Painting; Vertue's MSS., Brit. Mus. Addit. MSS. 23068, &c.; Sale Catalogue; Chaloner Smith's British Mezzotinto Portraits.]

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