STA
STA
service, went to sea, and gained some ex- perience, perfecting himself as a seaman. Fond of sketching ships and marine sub- jects, he formed a taste for art, and while afloat painted the scenery for a play got up by the crew. His talent was first noticed while serving as clerk on board a king's ship, and his desire was, when an opportunity offered, to try art as a pro- fession. So when temporarily disabled by a fall, and discharged from the navy, he was able to gratify his wishes by si en- gagement about 1818 to paint the scenery for the old Royalty, a sailors' theatre in Wellclose Square. Improving in his ca- pacity for this art, he was afterwards engaged at the Cobourj? Theatre, where his labours and promptitude were unre- mitting, and his success soon led him to a higher field. He got an engagement at l)rury Lane Theatre, and painted there scenery equal to any which had been known On the London stage, effecting great improvements in the art.
Continuing in this profession for several years, he produced at the same time some small marine views, and his reputation
grew as a marine painter. He first ex- ibited in 1823 with the Society of British Artists, founded in that year, of which he became a member, and also at the British Institution. In 1827 he exhibited at the Academy, and encouraged by the success of his easel pictures and a premium of 50 guineas awarded to him at the British Institution, he abandoned scene-painting about 1829, and the following year made his first tour on the continent. Having resigned his connexion with the Society of British Artists, he in 1831 exhibited at the Academy, and was in the following year elected an associate, and in the same year was commissioned by William IV. to paint 'The Opening of New London Bridge.' and 'Portsmouth Harbour,' works whicn he exhibited at the Academy in 1832, fol- lowed in 1833-34-36 by some Italian scenes, chiefly Venetian. He was at the same time much engaged in illustrations for 'The Picturesque Annual.' In 1835 he was elected a full member of the Academy, and in 1836 he exhibited 'The Battle of Tra- falgar/ a large work painted on commission for the United Service Club.
He had been much impressed by the scenery of Italy, and spent the greater part of 1839 there, and in the four following years his contributions to the Academy were chiefly Italian, and from that time indeed, the scenery of Italy, with views off the Dutch coasts, formed the subjects of his best works. In 1847 he exhibited a notable work, ' The French Troops f ording the Magra in 1796 ; ' in 1854, ' The " Vic- tory," bearing the body of Nelson, towed into Gibraltar;' in 1857, 'The Wrecked 410
Spanish Armada;' in 1860, 'Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples;' in 1864, 'War' and 'Peace.' These are amon£ his most esteemed works. He exhibited for the last time in 1867.
For some time he had been in a de- clining state of health, and on Majf 18. 1867, ne died at HampsteacL where he had for many years resided. He was buried in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery at Eensal Green. He was a master of his art ; his knowledge of seamanship gave a truth to the grandeur of his marine sub- jects, and his training in the scene-loft a picturesque beauty to his landscape views. But his art was too scenic, and the influ- ence of stage effects prevailed to the last. He was for many years an influential member of the Sketching Society.
Among his works should be mentioned a series of ten pictures of large size, painted for the banqueting; room at Bowooct and a second series for Trentham Hall. He also painted a number of views of coast scenery for Heath's ' Annual, 7 and published a col- lection of lithographic views on the Rhine, Moselle, Meuse, &c. The Royal Academy included in their exhibition of the old masters in 1870 a large collection of his works, but it did not tend to maintain the very high reputation which he had enjoyed in his lifetime.
STANFIELDj George Clarkson, landscape and marine painter. Son of the above. Was born at Buckingham Street, Strand, London, May 1 ? 1828. He learnt the first principles of his art under his father, and was also a student of the Royal Academy. He first exhibited in the year 1844, and was from thenceforward a contributor to each year's annual gather- ing at the Academy without interruption down to 1876. He painted principally continental landscapes, being marine sub- jects and the scenery of towns. His art was similar in kind to that of his father, and did not present any strikingoriginality. He died of aisease of liver, at Hampstead, March 22, 1878, in his 50th year.
STANLEY, Caleb Robert, landscape painter. Born about 1790. He practised m London, and studied for a time in Italy, where he made many sketches. He painted in oil, and produced a few works in water- colours, introducing figures and architecture. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1820 to 1863 landscapes in oil, and at the commencement of his career on a few occa- sions landscapes, both in oil and water- colours, with the Society of British Artists. His execution was good but mannered. He died in London, February 13, 1868.
STANLEY, Montague, A.R.S.A., landscape painter. Born at Dundee, in January 1809. He was taken by his parents to New York, where he lost bis
