Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/389

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and obtained the appointment of principal i scene painter to the Haymarket Theatre, but he continued his work for the Almanack. About 1788 he began his autumn pedes- trian tours, choosing the most romantic of the English counties, and made views of the picturesque ruins in Norfolk, Suffolk, Somerset, Warwick, and other places. He had from his admission as a student been a constant exhibitor of his water-colour views at the Academy, and contributed yearly up to his death. His works are drawn with conscientious accuracy, and show a sweet pencil, coupled with a fine taste and finish, which give him rank among our early water-colour painters. His animals and figures are well introduced. He was a well-read man, reserved in manner, shy to show his drawings, and being discharged from his office of scene painter, it is said to reduce the expenses of the establishment, he fell into dejection of spirits, from which he never rallied. He died March 3, 1801, and was laid in the burial-ground of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, in the Kentish Town Road. In the following month his draw- ings, &c. , were sold by Squib, and produced 1240/. He contributed some of the illus- trations to an edition of Sterne's works, 1772.

ROOM, Henry, portrait painter. Prac- tised chiefly in Birmingham, and enjoyed a reputation there. He was residing m Pen- tonville in 1826, and exhibited a portrait at the Academy, and in 1827-28 sent portraits from Birmingham for exhibition. In 1830 he came to London, and continued to ex- hibit his portraits, and while practising here painted * The Interview of Queen Adelaide with the Madagascar Princes at Windsor,' and 'The Caftre Chief's Examination before the House of Commons' Committee.' Many of his portraits are engraved for the ' Evan- gelical Magazine.' He did not exhibit at the Academy between 1840-47, but in 1848 sent his last work. He died August 27, 1850, aged 48, and was buried in St. Giles's Churchyard. -

ROOS. John, die engraver. He suc- ceeded Thomas East, his uncle, as one of the engravers of the Royal Mint, and held that office till the accession of George I.

ROPER, — -. animal painter. He was a student at the St. Martin 1 s Lane Academy, and painted sporting pieces, race-horses, dogs, and dead game. He exhibited at the Spring Gardens' exhibition in 1761 and the succeeding years, but did not survive long after. His art powers were not more than sufficed to gratify the gentlemen of the turf and the stable.

ROSE, Susan Penelope, miniature painter. Was a daughter of Gibson, the dwarf, and married a j e weller . She painted in miniature with great freedom, and had several eminent sitters. She died in 170% 368 u \

aged 48, in Covent Garden, and was buried in the church there.

ROSE, William S.. landscape painter. He practised exclusively in oil, ana painted chiefly the rural scenery of the home counties. He was a constant exhibitor from 1853 at the Royal Academy, and exhibited occasionally at the British In- stitution. To the former he sent, 1853, 'Kentish Heath Scene;' 1857, 'Road to a Farm, Bucks;' 1859, 'Clover Time;' 1863, * A Rustic Village ; ' 1866, ' Rough Pastures;' 1870, 'Ashdown Forest; 'and in 1873, ' Holiday on the Heath, Summer Day.' After long suffering from illness, he died at Edenbridge, May 25, 1873, in his 63rd year.

ROSENBERG, George F., water-colour painter. He was elected an associate of the Water-Colour Society in 1849, and exhibited from that year landscapes, chiefly mountain scenery, painted with much ability, with usually a fruit or a flower- Diece, About 1862 he contributed many Norwegian scenes, and towards the end of his career some good Scotch landscapes. He introduced into his foregrounds watery pools, with their luxuriant sward and weeds. He resided at Bath, where he died September 17, 1869.

ROSLANEY, Wells, ornamental painter. An ingenious designer, who prac- tised in London. He died October 1, 1776. His widow, inconsolable for his loss, starved herself to death.

ROSS, H., miniature painter. His father was of a Ross-shire family, and became gardener to the Duke of Marl- borough. He exhibited at the Royal Aca- demy from 1809 portraits and portrait groups in miniature.

ROSS, Mrs. Maria, portrait painter. Wife of the above. Practised in London, and also tried history. She was sister to Anker Smith, the engraver. She was an occasional exhibitor at the Academy, com- mencing in 1811, and contributed portraits in oil In 1814 'The. Adoration of the Shepherds.' Died in Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square, March 20, 1836, aged 70. • ROSS, Sir William Charles, R.A., Ent.. miniature painter. Was the son of the foregoing, and was born in. London, June 3, 1794. He found, as a child, amusement in drawing, and very early evinced great ability. In his boyhood he gained several medals at the Society of Arts, and entering the Academy schools in 1808, his student career was rewarded by five silver medals. In 1809 he first appears as an exhibitor at the Academy, and then, 15 years of age only, contributed ( Mordecai Rewarded/ ? The Judgment of Solomon,' and ' Portrait of a Lady and Child in the Character of Venus and Cupid,' and for several following years, with an exceptional