Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/176

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till his death. His first work was his monument to Lord Mansfield, in Westminster Abbey—a fine monumental group—the great judge represented seated in his full robes, with figures of Justice and Mercy, and an emblematic figure, said to be of Death. Following this work, he was elected in 1797 an associate, and in 1800 a full member, of the Academy. He afterwards completed his monument to Captain Montague, in St. Paul's, and the monuments to Sir Joshua Reynolds, Earl Howe, and Lord Nelson; and anxious to distinguish himself, proposed to erect a statue of Britannia, 200 feet high, on Greenwich Hill, as a naval trophy.

Weakly in frame and constitution, and of a gentle spirit, he quietly pursued his art during a long career. Of the numerous works from his chisel, these should be specially noticed—'Michael and Satan,' executed for Lord Egremont; a monument to the Baring family at Micheldever Church, Hants; to Mary Lushington, at Lewisham, Kent; Earl Howe, in St. Paul's; and his drawings and model for the 'Shield of Achilles,' completed in 1818, comprising upwards of 100 figures, besides animals. He was elected, in 1810, professor of sculpture to the Royal Academy, and delivered from the professor's chair 10 lectures, which are published. Simple in all his tastes and habits, his art was founded on the highest Greek examples. His imaginative genius is shown in his numerous drawings and designs, full of poetry and sentiment in their conception, but never sensual; classic and poetical, religious and monumental, his grouping was distinguished by its grandeur of style. Skilled in the use of his modelling tool, he was weak and ineffective when he took his chisel in hand. He was of some reputation as a writer on art subjects. He published, in 1799, 'A Letter to the Committee for raising a Monument to the Duke of Gloucester.' He contributed a sketch of Romney's career to 'Hayley's Life.' He wrote for Rees's 'Encyclopaedia' the articles 'Armour,' 'Basso-rilievo,' 'Beauty,' 'Bronze,' 'Bust,' 'Composition,' 'Cast,' and 'Ceres.' His health declined gradually towards the end of his life, and a bad cold caught at the beginning of December terminated in a few days in his death. He was buried in the ground belonging to St. Giles-in-the-Fields, adjoining the old church of St. Pancras, where his tombstone tells that 'his angelic spirit returned to the Divine Giver, December 7, 1826, in the 72nd year of his age.' He was a disciple of Swedenborg. His wife, who died in 1820, and his sister rest in the same grave. His property was sworn under 4.000l. Miss Denman, his wife's sister, and his adopted daughter, founded the Flaxman Gallery at the London University College.

FLAXMAN, Miss Mary Ann, amateur. Sister of the above. Her name first appears in art as an exhibitor at the Royal Academy, both of models and drawings. In 1786 she was an 'honorary' contributor of 'Turkish Ladies;' in 1789, of 'Ferdinand and Miranda playing Chess' and a portrait in wax; in 1790, of a drawing from Miss Burney's 'Cecilia;' and then, after an absence of six years, she again contributes—1797-1800, designs from the poets; in 1802, a portrait of Mrs. Billington. She was, probably at this time, governess in a family, with whom she travelled in Germany. In 1810 she had returned to London and was living with her brother, and then resumed her contributions to the Academy, exhibiting in that year 'Sappho;' in 1811, portrait of her friend, Miss Porden; in 1817, designs for the old ballad, 'The Beggar's Daughter;' in 1819, 'Maternal Piety,' her last exhibited work. She died April 17, 1833, in her 65th year. Her designs for 'Robin Goodfellow' were engraved; and six illustrations by her for Hayley's 'Triumphs of Temper,' engraved by Blake, were published in 1803. They are very simple in design, with much original feeling, and though weakly, are not badly drawn.

FLETCHER, Henry, engraver. Practised in London in the second quarter of the 18th century. He was chiefly employed upon portrait heads for frontispieces, but is best known as the first engraver of flowers in this country. Of these his 'Flowers of each Month' (some copies of which were coloured) are good examples. There is a plate by him of the story of 'Bathsheba,' after Sebastian Conca.

FLETCHER, Henry, engraver. Born at the beginning of the 18th century, and about 1760 engraved several views of Ancient Rome, after Canaletti.

FLITCROFT, Henry, architect. Born September 3, 1697. His father was gardener to William III. at Hampton Court. He began life as a carpenter, but falling from a scaffold at Lord Burlington's about 1717-18, the accident gained him the notice of that nobleman, by whose patronage and his own merit he attained celebrity and wealth. He held several offices at the Board of Works, succeeding to the appointment of comptroller in 1758. He built the church of St. Giles-in-the-Field, opened 1734, and rebuilt St. Olave's, Southwark and also, about 1745, the church at Hampstead, where he built a house for himself, and dwelt some time. He also made some extensive alterations at Woburn Abbey, almost rebuilding the mansion, and adding an elevation of much pretension. He was elected sheriff for London and Middlesex in 1745, but declined to serve, and paid the fine. He died March 5, 1769, and was