Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/417

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Vertue drew and engraved his ' Medals,] Coins, and Great Seals,' 1753.

SIMON. Abraham, medallist and modeller. Elder brother of the foregoing, ' to whom he was some time an assistant. He was born in Yorkshire, and intended for the church, but turned to art. He practised in the reign of Charles II., and excelled in his portrait models in wax. He went to Sweden, on the invitation of the Court, and accompanied Queen Christina to Paris, from whence he went to Holland, and returned to England. He modelled, in wax, Charles II. 's portrait for the medal of the proposed order of the Royal Oak. The king was greatly pleased with his work, and

S resented him with 100 guineas, and the hike of York then sat to him, and asking the price of his work, was told that the king had paid 100 guineas for the same. The duke thought that 40 guineas would be enough, to which Simon replied, by squeezing the soft model into a shapeless lump, highly offending the Duke. It is said this proud temper marred his prospects. He lost the Court favour, and witti that his employment; became slovenly and care- less, eccentric and cynical, wearing a long beard, and died in obscurity soon after the Revolution. He had continued to wear the dress which prevailed in Charles I.'s reign. There is a portrait of him engraved %y Blooteling.

SIMONS (or SYMONDS), Rudolph, architect. Practised in London about the middle of the 16th century, and was con- sidered one of the most skilful architects of his day. Among his works are Emmanuel College and Sidney Sussex College (1596-8). In the master's house at the latter there is a fine portrait of him. He made also some additions to Trinity College.

SIMPSON, Archibald, architect. Was born at Aberdeen, and educated at the Marischal College. He was placed under an architect in London, and then visited Italy to complete his studies. On his return he settled at Aberdeen, and had an extensive practice. He erected several

Eublic buildings— the Church at Elgin, a ridge across the Spey, and some fine man- sions in Aberdeenshire and the adjacent counties. He also built part of Gordon Castle. He died at Aberdeen in 1847, in his 59th year.

SIMPSON, Francis, amateur. Filled the offices of alderman and mayor of Stamford, and was known by his skill as a draftsman. He made many drawings in water-colours, and published from his drawings a volume of Baptismal Fonts and the West Front of Croyland Abbey. He died at Stamford, July 29, 1861, aged 65. SIMPSON, John, portrait painter. He was born in London, in 1782, and studied in the schools of the Royal Aca- 396

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demy. For many years he was an assist- ant to Sir Thomas Lawrence, and from 1807 was an exhibitor, and later a large contributor of portraits to the Academy. In 1834 he went to Lisbon, and was ap-

S tinted painter to the Queen of Portugal, is art was confined to portraiture. He exhibited for the last time in 1845, and died in Carlisle House, Soho, in 1847. He drew the head and hands carefully, but his work, though not without character, is weak. He painted William IV. and some other distinguished persons.

SIMPSON, Philip, portrait painter. Son of the foregoing. He studied, in the schools of the Royal Academy, and was brought up to art. He painted in 1824, 'I will fight/ which was exhibited at Suffolk Street, was engraved, and is now in the South Kensington Museum. His chief subject pictures exhibited at the Academy were, ' The Young Piper.' 1829 ; ' Boys with a Monkey/ 1830 ; and in 1836, ' Girl and Boy with a Parrot/ his last con- tribution. His brother, Charles Simpson, who died young, in 1848, was also brought up as an artist, and was an exhibitor on one or two occasions at the Academy.

SIMPSON, Joseph, engraver. Prac- tised in the reign of Queen Anne. He began life as an engraver on plate, and gaining some knowledge at the Artists' Drawing Academy, he was employed by Tillemans on a plate of his picture of New- market, which helped to make him known in abetter rank of art He also engraved after Wootton and Wyke, and his works are chiefly hunting subjects. There is also by him a series of six mezzo-tints, after Monamy and Vandevelde, printed in green, and some plates after his own designs.

SIMPSON, Joseph, engraver. Son of the foregoing. He was brought up to his father's profession. He completed a good

?late of a 'Holy Family/ after Fifippo lauri, in 1728 ; and a portrait of Charles I., on a white horse, after Vandyck, 1731, and was deemed of much promise, but he died young, in 1736.

SIMPSON, Matthew) painter. Was drawing-master to the children of Charles I., and afterwards went to Sweden. There is a miniature by him of Charles I., signed M. S.

SIMPSON, William, engraver. Prac- tised towards the middle of the 17th century, and was chiefly employed by the booksellers. He engraved the plated for an edition of ' Quarles' Emblems/

S I M S O N , George, R. S. A., portrait painter. Born at Dundee in 1791. Brought up a printer, he did not attempt art till his 30th vear. He was early elected a mem- ber of the Scottish Academy, and was for many years a contributor to the exhibi- tions, sending portraits, with sometimes a