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portrait, his exhibited works were of a classic character. At the age of 20 he became assistant to Andrew Robertson, a distinguished miniature painter, but found time to devote to historic art. In 1821 he gained the Society of Arts' gold medal for his oil painting of 'The Judgment of Brutus/ and in 1825 he exhibited at the Royal Academy a large work in oil, the figures life-size, 'Christ Casting out the Devils from the Maniacs in the Tombs.'
But there was then little encouragement for the grand style, and whatever may have been his predilections for it, he left it to devote himself to miniature. In this he soon established a high reputation, and was surrounded by fashionable sitters. In 1837 the Queen sat to him, and pleased .both by his art and his simple manners, commissioned him to paint her husband and children. He was in the full tide of fortune ; in 1838 he was elected an associate of the Royal Academy, and in the following year a full member, and received the honour of knighthood. He painted the King and Queen of the Belgians with the other members of the Saxe-Gotha family. He went to Lisbon to paint the King and Queen of Portugal ? with several of their court. Prince Louis Napoleon also sat to him. His miniatures exceed 2200, and include the most distinguished of his country. His work was confined to ivory. He did not attempt enamel. His passion for history was revived by the cartoon competition in 1843, and his ' Angel Raphael Discoursing with Eve, 1 which ne sent in anonymously, was rewarded with a premium of 100/.
In his style the influence of Reynolds was apparent. He was refined and accurate in his drawing, his composition pleasing. The colouring of his flesh excellent, and his draperies and accessories brilliantly and
Eowerfully painted. His resemblance was uthful, the individuality and expression well maintained. Taking the first rank in his art, he lived to see it superseded by the cheap attractions of photography, and on his death-bed lamented ' that it was all up with future miniature painting.' Of amiable manners, true in his friendships, loyal in his art, he passed a peaceful, uneventful, but eminently successful life. In 1857 he suffered an attack of paralysis, from which he never entirely recovered. He died un- married, January 20, 1860, and was buried at the Highgate Cemetery. An interesting exhibition of his works was made at the Society of Arts in the summer of the same year.
ROSS. F. W. R., amateur. Commenced life in the Royal Navy, in which he held the King's Commission. Later, retiring to Topsham, in Devonshire, he made drawings illustrating natural history. For this he
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had the advantage of scientific knowledge, and he showed great talent in his accurate and skilful finish, and also in colour. He particularly excelled in birds. He died at Topsham, December 25, 1860, aged 68.
ROSS, James, engraver and draftsman. Practised in the latter part of toe 18th century. He was a pupil of R. Hancock in 1765, and had the reputation of being the best engraver of transfer plates for pottery. There are by hiin some neatly executed small plates of views in the city of Here- ford, after drawings by Powle. Also in illustration of Val. Green's * City of Wor- cester,' where he appears to have resided, and numerous plates in a * History of Tewkesbury.' He died at Worcester, Sep- tember 16, 1821, aged 76.
ROSSI, John Charles Felix, R.A., sculptor. Was born at Nottingham, March 8, 1762. His father, a native of Sienna, practised medicine there and afterwards in Leicestershire. In this county his early years were passed, and he was then placed under an Italian sculptor in London. Upon the completion of his apprenticeship he continued with his master at wages of only 18*. a week, but afterwards found some more profitable employment in Messrs. Coade and Seelev's works. He had entered the schools of the Royal Academy, and in 1781 gained the silver medal, followed in 1784 by the gold medal for his group of ' Venus Conducting Helen to Pans ; ' and in 1785 was sent to Rome as the travelling student of the Academy. He had made a hard struggle to gain tnis position, and he made diligent use of his opportunities in Italy, and at Rome executea a Mercury, exhibited at the Academy, and a Britannia, the latter 15 feet high. He returned to London in 1788, was fortunate to obtain employment on works of high art, and was a constant contributor to the Academy exhibi- tions. In 1798 he was elected an associate of the Academy, and a full member in 1802. His chief works were the memorials in St. Paul's Cathedral, commemorating the heroes of the war ; of these, the most important are to the Marquis Comwallis, Lord Heath- field, and Lord Rodney, and later he was employed in the decoration of Buckingham Palace, and was appointed by George IV. his sculptor in ordinary. He also received several commissions from Lord Egremont. But he made no provision for his latter days, and became a pensioner of the Aca- demy. He died at St. John's Wood, February 21, 1839, in his 77th year, and was buried in St. James's Church, Hamp- stead Road.
ROSSI, Henry, sculptor. He was one of the foundation members of the Society of British Artists, and exhibited with them in 1824, 'An Equestrian Group of the Duke of Wellington y and in 1837, ' The Sportsman/
