Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/90

This page needs to be proofread.

CAM

attempts at originality leading Mm into inharmonious combinations.

CAMPBELL, Thomas, sculptor. Was born in Edinburgh, May 1, 1790, of parents in very humble circumstances. He was apprenticed to a marble-cutter, and though without education, soon showed a taste and intelligence which raised him above the mechanic ; and occupied on a class of works by which he gained knowledge, he made

Sood progress, and was enabled to come to iondon and study in the schools of the Royal Academy. In 1818 he was assisted to visit Borne ; and there, devoted to his art, he soon made friends, and received commissions for busts. One of his first works was a sitting statue of the Princess Pauline Borghese, which is now at Chats- worth. He continued at Rome for many years, and his chief associates were the Italian and German artists. In 1827 he sent from thence his first work, the bust of a lady, for exhibition in the Royal Academy; and the next year a classic group — ' Cupid instructed by Venus to as- sume the form of Ascanius.'

Having at this time large commissions to execute in England, he returned in 1830, but retained his studio in Rome, and ex- hibited at the Academy a marble statue of ' Psyche,' with other works. He estab- lished himself chiefly by his busts— some of which were colossal — and portrait statues, and continued to exhibit his works at the Academy up to 1857, though only occasionally in the latter years. He fre- quently during this period visited Rome to make arrangements for works commenced there ; but during the last 25 years of his life his residence was in London, where he died February 4, 1858. He was painstak- ing and elaborate in the completion of his works, and amassed a large property by his profession. One of his most important groups is the monument to the Duchess of JBuccleuch at Boughton. At Windsor Castle there is a statue of the Queen by him ; at St. Paul's, Sir William Hoste, one of the public monuments.

CAMPBELL, J., engraver. He prac- tised about the middle of the 18th century. He engraved some plates after Rembrandt, successfully rendering that master's style and manner.

CAMPION, George B., water-colwvr painter. He was elected a member of the Institute of Water-Colour Painters in 1837, and was an occasional, and sometimes a large, contributor of views, but slightly finished, to the exhibitions of the Institute. His chief art was topographical ; and many of his views have been published. He wrote some contributions on German art for the 'Art Journal.' Reputed a good sportsman, he was the author of * The Ad- ventures of a Chamois Hunter.' He died

CAP

at Munich, where he had long resided April 7, 1870.

CANOT, Peter Charles, A.E., ertr- graver. Born in France 1710. He came to England in 1740 ; and found employment in engraving marine subjects and land- scapes. He engraved after Backhuysen, Vandevelde, Gaspar Pomssin, and Claude ; also views of London and Westminster Bridges, after Scott ; a series of sea- views and sea-fights, after Monamy ; and four battle-pieces, after Paton, his over-exer- tions on which are said to have led to his death in 1777, at Kentish Town. He was a member of the Incorporated Society of Artists in 1766, and was elected associate engraver of the Royal Academy in 1770, where he was one of the early exhibitors. His engravings, particularly the sea-pieces, have much merit, and were very popular in their day.

• CAPON, William, scene painter and architect. He was born at Norwich, October 6, 1757. His father was an artist of some ability, and under him he com- menced portrait painting, but his taste led him to architecture, ana he was placed under Novozielski, the architect and scene painter, and assisted him in the erection of the Italian Opera House and the buildings and scenery for the Ranelagh Gardens. On the completion of the new Drury Lane Theatre in 1794, he was engaged by Mr. Kemble as the scene painter, and mate- rially assisted him in his great reform of the stage. This he was well Qualified to do by his antiquarian knowledge, which enabled him to give his works historic interest by their accuracy. He was ap- pointed draftsman and painter of architec- ture and landscape to the Duke of York. He first exhibited at the Academy in 1788, next in 1792, and from that time was an occasional exhibitor. His subjects were chiefly views of buildings and architectural remains, with some landscapes. He made many drawings of the old dwellings and buildings in the Metropolis, and careful plans of the old palace at Westminster, and of the substructure of the Abbey, priding himself upon the accuracy of his drawings and measurements. His plan of the Westminster Palace was purchased by the Society of Antiquaries for 120guineas, and was engraved by Basire. He made finished drawings of the interior of both Covent Garden and Drury Lane Theatres, exhibited 1800 and 1802 ; and erected a theatre at Kildare, painting also the scenery ? for Lord AldDoroug£ He left some views which he had drawn of the theatre in Goodman's Fields, burnt down in 1802 ; and had made an extensive col- lection of topographical drawings. Healed suddenly at his house in Norton Street. Westminster, September 26, ]ff°7, aged

69