STE
interiors. Was born in Flanders about 1539, the son of a painter of great reputa- tion, under whom he studied his art. Van- dyck encouraged him to come to England, employed him occasionally to paint archi- tectural backgrounds to his pictures, and introduced him to Charles I. His usual subjects were the interiors of churches and other large edifices, which, in his latter works were more luminous and less dark than his earlier pictures. He died in London.
STEEVENS, Richard, sculptor, painter, and medallist. Born in the 'Netherlands. He came to this country and practised here in the reign of Eliza- beth, with much distinction. The tomb of the Earl of Sussex, Lord Chamberlain to the Queen, at Boreham, Suffolk, was erected after nis design, and the figures are by his own hand. He painted a full- length portrait of the Queen in a dress embroidered with sea-monsters, and one of Mary Queen of Scots. It is said that his portraits were attributed to Holbein; but they have little claim to this, and are wanting in his power and finish. Some of his medals are engraved in Evelyn's * Dis- course on English Medals. ,
STENNETT, William, amateur. Was a merchant at Boston, Lincoln, who had antiquarian tastes, ana was a good drafts- man. A drawing of Boston Church by him was engraved in 1715; and one of Walpole Church in 1734. He made drawings of other churches in Lincolnshire, and styled himself ' Delineator .' He died in poor cir- cumstances at Boston, about 1762.
STEPHANOFF, Fileter N., portrait painter. Born in Russia. Came to London and settled here. Exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1778, and about the same time exhibited some stained drawings, views, with the Free Society. He painted por- traits, but was chiefly employed on decora- tions for ceilings, and was for a time en- gaged in painting scenes for the circus in St. George's Fields. He produced some landscapes in India ink, slightly tinted, or, as it was then called, ' stained/ He com- mitted suicide some time before 1790.
STEPHANOFF. Gertrude, flower painter. Wife of the above. Painted flowers, fruit, and still life with great finish and skill. She exhibited at the Royal Aca- demy in 1783 and 1805, and was a teacher of drawing. Died at Brompton, January 7, 1808. Her daughter, Miss M. G. Ste- phanoff, was a flower painter and also an exhibitor.
STEPHANOFF, Francis Philip, subject painter. Son of the above. Born in i788 at Brompton. He commenced art at the age of 16, and was, from 1810 to 1845, a constant exhibitor at the Academy. His best works are, ' Poor Relations/ ' The 412
STE
Reconciliation,' 'The Trial of Algernon Sydney/ He painted both in oil and water- colours, and from 1815 to 1820 was a con- tributor to the Water-Colour Exhibition, sending, among some other works, some drawings for Pyne's 'Royal Residences.' He gained a premium of 100/. at the West- minster Hall competition. Many of his works are engraved. He died at West Hannam, Gloucestershire, May 15, 1860. He furnished most of the costume portraits for the Garter-King-at- Arms' sumptuous work, ' The Coronation of George I v., 'and produced a fine series of historical drawings in water-colours, ' The Field of the Cloth of Gold.' His works were not of a high class, but were popular.
STEVENS, Alfred, sculptor and decorator. Was born at Blandford in 1817. He was a short time at the Royal Academy schools, and at 16 went to Italy to prose- cute his studies, where he was mucn im- pressed by the works of Michael Angelo. For a time, he assisted Thorwaldsen, who thought highly of his powers and gave him many commissions. He came back to England in 1826, and was principally en- gaged in decorative works in sculpture, painting, and metal. The finest specimen of his nouse-decoration is, perhaps, Mr. Holford's mansion in Park Lane, London. In 1850 he went to live at Sheffield, and his influence on the local metal manufactures there was very marked, and he also became connected with its School of Art. The small lions on the iron posts in front of the British Museum are by him; and he made a design' for one of the Mosaic spandrels under the dome of St. Paul's. He received from Government a commission to ex- ecute the National Monument to the Duke of Wellington, in St. Paul's Cathedral, which after causing him sad trouble ana vexation he left unfinished at his death. Still, it is probable, that two groups from it, 'Valour Triumphing over Cowardice,' and 'Truth Plucking out the Tongue of Falsehood,' will achieve for him a lasting reputation. He died at Haverstock Hill, London, May 1, 1875. Godfrey Sykes was his pupil.
STEVENS, Alexander, architect. He is best known by works which are of an engineering character. His bridge over the Liffev at Dublin, the docks and works on the Grand Canal, Ireland, and the aqueduct over the Lune, at Lancaster. He died at a very advanced age at Lancaster, January 20, 1 796. He was noted as a clever draftsman. He executed many works in the north of England and in Scotland.
STEVENS, D., portrait painter. Prac- tised in the time oi George I. A portrait of that king by him is engraved by J. Faber.
STEVENS, Edward, A.R. A., architect.
