Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Le Capelain, John
LE CAPELAIN, JOHN (1814?–1848), painter, a native of Jersey, was born there about 1814, and acquired a knowledge of drawing. About 1882 he came to London and practised as a water-colour painter. He had a peculiar trick of painting which gave his drawings a misty and foggy effect. A 'Coast Scene' in this manner is in the print room at the British Museum. After the queen's visit to Jersey, a volume of drawings by Le Capelain of scenery in the island was presented to her. This led to his receiving a commission from the queen to paint pictures of the Isle of Wight. While engaged on these he developed rapid consumption, of which he died at Jersey in 1848. His drawings are technically clever, and were popular in his day. A collection of them is preserved in the museum at Jersey.
[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; manuscript notes in the Percy Catalogue of Water-colour Drawings, print room, Brit. Mus.]