Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/397

This page needs to be proofread.

SAM

1779, contributing small whole-lengths, conversation pieces, and portrait heads, with occasionally a subject piece. There is an engraving after him of the ' Nine living Muses of Great Britain' — Mrs. Sheridan, Mrs. Montague, Angelica Kauffman, &c, but it is only a poor affected work. In 1773 the Society of Arts awarded him a premium for an improvement in laying mezzo-tint grounds. He published, m 1786, a short pamphlet ' On the Utility of Drawing and Fainting. 7

SAMUEL, George, landscape painter. He practised both in oil and water-colours, chiefly the latter. A clever view of the Thames by him, from Rotherhithe Stairs during the frost of 1789, the shipping frozen in and surrounded by groups of figures, was much praised at the time. He made draw- ings for the illustration of ' Grove Hill,' a poem, published in 1799; and at the begin- ning of the 19th century had already gained a reputation, and his landscapes were much esteemed. He was a good draftsman and skilful painter. From 1786 to 1823 he was an exhibitor at the Royal Academy, and also exhibited at the British Institution. Soon after the last date he was killed by an old wall falling upon him while he was sketching. F. Jukes engraved after him two views of Windsor.

SAND ARS? G. , portrait painter. Prac- tised in the reign of George II.

SANDARS, Thomas, engraver. Was the son of a painter at Rotterdam, where he was born. He came to London, was a member of the St. Martin's Lane Academy, and exhibited up to 1775. He etched the

  • Italian Fisherman,' after Joseph Vernet,

and drew and engraved 15 views of market towns in the county of Worcester, 1777-81- He was also a teacher of drawing.

• SANDBY, Paul, R.A., water-colour draftsman. Was descended from an old county family, and was born at Notting- ham in 1725. In that town he and his brother, clever young men, kept a school, and, by the help of their borough member, in 1741 gained employment in the military drawing office at the Tower. In 1746, when, on grounds of military policy, it was determined to improve the roads in the Highlands of Scotland, the scene of the memorable campaign of 1745-46, he was engaged as draftsman to the Survey, anjl made many sketches of the grand scenery which surrounded him. But, tired of the employment, he quitted it in 1752, and went to live with nis brother Thomas at Windsor, and in the picturesque architec- ture of the castle and at Eton he found many subjects for his pencil, completing about 70 drawings. Many of these were

Crchased by Sir J oseph Banks, and making acquaintance, he accompanied him to Wale<$, an I drew the chief castles and resi-

SAN

dences in the* Principality and was then induced by Sir Watkin W. Wynne to con- tinue his stay and his labours.

He was a member of the St. Martin's Lane Academy, and one of those who in 1753 wished to extend and give permanence to art teaching; but the plan was opposed by Hogarth, and the prints which were then published to ridicule ' The Line of Beauty' were attributed to him. He also carica- tured Vestris, in the costume of the day. teaching a goose to dance. He contributed largely to the Artists' Exhibitions from 1760 to 1764, was a member of the Incor- porated Society of Artists, and, on the in- stitution of the Royal Academy in 1768, was nominated one of the original members. The same year he was appointed the chief drawing-master at the Woolwich Military School, and was also known as a fashion- able teacher. He possessed indefatigable industry, and was a constant contributor of his water-colour views to the Royal Aca- demy exhibitions. He published a folio of etchings from the sketches he made when engaged upon the survey in Scotland, and became distinguished in the art, etching with great neatness, skill, and truth. He aqua -tinted and published his Welsh sketches, and was the first English artist who attempted this style of engraving, in which he snowed great ability and brought to much perfection in his later publication of 'Views in the Encampments in the Parks,' 1780.

He has been styled the father of the water-colour school. He was certainly among the first who practised in this me- dium; but his landscapes did not get beyond topography and the mere tinted imitation of nature. His best works are carefully drawn in with the pen, worked up with washes, and finished with colour. Some of his larger works are in body-colour. He introduced freely into his landscape groups of figures by no means ill-drawn, and add- ing great interest, but he was frequently assisted by others— his brother Thomas and Wheatley, R.A., are mentioned. He was a master of perspective, and drew ar- chitecture well, and his views of cities, with their grouped buildings, are gracefully and truthfully executed. Earnest in all that interested his profession, his name is inse- parably connected with the art and artists of his day. Age creeping on, he resigned his appointment at Woolwich in 1799, and was succeeded by his son. He died Novem- ber 9, 1809, in his 84th year, at 4, St. George's Row, Bayswater Road, and was laid in the burial-ground adjoining.

SANDBY, Thomas, R.A., architect. Was brother to the above, and born in Nottingham, 1721. lake his brother, he was employed in the military branch, and was appointed draftsman to the Chief