Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/77

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notice, he enjoyed a considerable reputation at the commencement of the 19th century for the excellence of his engravings in the line manner. Among his early works may be mentioned those for Macklin's ' Bible;' and after Stothard, 'Illustrations of the History of England ; ' also * The Death of Nelson/ after Devis ; ' The Attack on Valenciennes/ after De Loutherbourg ; and 'The Woman taken in Adultery,' after Rubens. He was elected an associate engraver of the Academy in 1819, and was for several years engaged in engraving for the trustees the 'Elgin Marbles' in the British Museum. He died 1842.

BROMLEY, John Charles, mezzo-tint engraver. Born in 1795, at Chelsea. Second son of the foregoing. Distinguished by his many important works — among them, 'Spanish Girl and Nurse,' after Murillo, 1831 ; ' The Trial of Lord William Russell,' after Hayter, 1830; 'The Lady Jane Grey refusing the Crown,' after Leslie ; ' The Trial of Algernon Sydney,' after Stephanoff, 1835 ; ' Monks preaching in Seville,' after Lewis, 1836 ; ' The Reform Banquet.' after B. R. Haydon ; and the portraits of many eminent men. His figures were well drawn, the expression well preserved ; his tints and gradations ot light and shade excellent — powerful, yet refined in his manner. He died of water on the chest, April 3, 1839, aged 44. He left a large family. His son Frederick followed his profession as an engraver.

BROMLEY, James, mezzo-tint en- graver. Born in 1800. Third son of the above William Bromley, A.E. He engraved several well-known portraits — the Princess Victoria, the Duchess of Kent, and Lord John Russell, after Hayter ; the Mar- chioness of Londonderry, after Sir W. Ross, R.A. ; and many others. He was of a weakly constitution, and died un- married, December 12, 1838, in his 38th year.

BROMLEY, Valentine Walter, his- tory and genre painter. Was bora in London, Feb. 14, 1848, and was the great-

fandson of the above William Bromley, E. He was trained in art under his father, and at nineteen elected an asso- ciate of the Institute of Painters in Water- colours. Shortly afterwards he became an associate of the Society of British Artists. He travelled with Lord Dunraven in America, and painted about twenty large pictures for that nobleman, depicting the country and people of the Far West. Besides this he worked as a book illustrator, and was on the staff of the Illustrated London News. He exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1872, 'The False Knight ;' in 1876, 'The Great Scalper;' in 1877, ' The Fairy Ring/ An artist of great promise, he was suddenly cut off in 06

his 30th year, and died at Fallows Green Harpenden, April 30, 1877.

BROMLEY, Henry, engraver. He was born at Wigan in 1750, and was intended for the profession, but is only known by his useful ' Catalogue of Engraved British Portraits,' published in 1793. The name under which he published is believed to have been assumed, and his real name to have been Anthony Wilson.

BROMPTON, Richard, portrait paiivt- er. Was a pupil of Benjamin Wilson, and afterwards studied at Rome under Mengs. While there he became acquainted with the Earl of Northampton, ana accompanied his lordship to Venice. There he painted a small conversation-piece, with whole- length portraits of the Duke of York and of some English gentlemen, which were exhibited at Spring Gardens in 1763. He had a few months previously returned to England, and settled in George Street, Hanover Square. He painted a whole- length portrait of the Prince of Wales in the robes of the Garter, 1772, and of his brother, Prince Frederick, in the robes of the Bath — both of which are engraved in mezzo-tint by J. Saunders ; also a good portrait of the first Earl of Chatham — the face quietly expressive and the robes excellent. His abilities would not have failed to secure him considerable employ- ment, but his folly and vanity in a few years brought him into the King's Bench. From this he was released by the Empress of Russia, who appointed him her portrait painter, and he went to St. Petersburg. Here he was well received and encouraged, but he launched into a pompous style of living, and after a few years died there in 1782. His widow married an English merchant, and returned to London. His colour was gaudy, his drawing frequently hard, and he prided himself upon his laborious finish. There is a portrait by him of Admiral Saunders in the gallery of Greenwich Hospital. He was employed to repair Vandyke's celebrated portrait- group of the Pembroke family at Wilton, whicn suffered grievously under his hand.

BROOKE, William Henry, portrait painter. Was nephew of the author of ' The Fool of Quality/ and began life in a banker's office. Afterwards he became a puptt to S. Drummond, A.R.A.,and making rapid progress, he established himself in the Adelphi as a portrait painter. He first exhibited at the Academy in 1810. His early works were sketches only, the sub- jects — ' Anacreon,' ' Murder of Thomas a Becket,' ' Musidora.' From 1813 to 1823 his name does not appear in the catalogues ; but in the latter year he contributed a portrait and two Irish landscapes with figures ; and in 1826, ' Chastity/ the last work he exhibited at the Academy. In