xt7qjq0stw34_5244 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7qjq0stw34/data/mets.xml https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7qjq0stw34/data/1997ms474.dao.xml unknown archival material 1997ms474 English University of Kentucky The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center. Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. W. Hugh Peal manuscript collection Richard Parkes Bonington letter to dear bishop, with a clipping text 43.94 Cubic Feet 86 boxes, 4 oversize boxes, 22 items Poor-Good Peal accession no. 11453. Richard Parkes Bonington letter to dear bishop, with a clipping 2017 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7qjq0stw34/data/1997ms474/Box_61/Folder_4/Multipage27963.pdf 1822 July 15, undated 1822 1822 July 15, undated section false xt7qjq0stw34_5244 xt7qjq0stw34 //” #274 V‘N‘Ci.‘ N -. , { 3 '7' I 1 z I 7 i I a » 3 i b ' firmed his father’s desire to take every oppor- P / . BIOGRAPHY. . .L ext/f n. r. BONING-TON.A/’Ztfl , I '1‘ is with great sorrow we have to record the death of this young but eminent artist, whose pictures have of late years attracted so much admiration, and who bid so fair to be one of the most distinguished ornaments which the native school of England ever-produced. Richard Parkes Bonington was born on the 25th of October, 1801, at the village of Arnold, near Nottingham; where his father was engaged, we believe, in some of the manufacturing or , mercantile pursuits general in that part of the country. At the..- irly age of three years he discovered a very extraordinary attachment to l the fine arts, which was principally evinced by his sketching almost every object that presented itself to his observation. But he went even farther, and not unfrequently ventured upon designs; some specimens of which precocious efforts are still in the possession of his parents. They were chiefly drawn in pen-and-ink, with surprising accuracy, and illustrative of history, which, from the moment our infant artist was capable of thought, became his favourite study and research. IV? ought also to notice that Iis sketches of marine subjects (in which he afterwards shone so conspicuously) were, beyond description, wonderful both for correctness and neatness. These productions completely con- tunity of leading him to the arts as a profes- sion; and he accordingly continued to direct his attention to the works of the best masters,- but, above all, to Nature, the mother, nurse, and guide of true genius. Thus cherished, when Richard was not more than seven or eight years of age, he made some drawings from old buildings situated at Nottingham, which surpassed every thing he had before done; and about the same time he took a more decided turn for marine subjects, which bent of mind appears never afterwards to have forsaken him. .‘ At the age of fifteen his parents journeyed to Paris, feeling assured that the facilities for study afforded by that capital were much more important than any which could elsewhere be attained. Upon his arrival there, application was made for permission to draw in the Louvre; and the gentlemen who conducted that department, astonished blsyond measure at the examples of the young English painter’s . , , in he most , manner, granted the boon required. Here,‘ again, we cannot render too much praise to his anxious father for the assiduity and judg. l lent with which he cultivated his son’s talents. . He took infinite pains to point his attentionl to the best specimens of the Italian and Fle- mish schools; and it must be added, that his docile and enthusiastic pupil profited nobly by his invaluable advice. And while thus en. gaged he met with many encouraging circum— stances 'to cheer him in his labours :——strangers, for instance, who, on visiting the Louvre, and being struck with his performances, purchased 3 them at the prices demanded. - z ‘ ‘ He very soon after became a student of the , Institute, and'also drew at M. Le Baron Gros’s ‘ atelier. It was about this period, when not Occupied at the Institute or at the baron’s gallery, that he made many extraordinary drawings of coast scenery; particularly some representing fish-markets, with groups of figures, and for which he at all times found a ready sale. We should not omit to mention, that his study from the figure was exceedingly ,n. 0 hc_uh were it reuisite to define his ‘J illustration of the character and habit, which he admirably displayed his knowledge of colour and composition, and his great attention to costume. This picture, whether owing to its being unseen, for it was upon the floor, or to want of taste in the patrons and lovers of painting, is yet, we learn, in the possession of the artist’s parents. we trust that his Majesty will be its immediate purchaser: it would be ill bestowed in any other hands. As a con- trast to the foregoing, we may remark, that the first time he exhibited in Paris, his draw. ing was sold the moment the exhibition opened; and for the next (a marine subject) he received the gold medal, at the same time that Sir Thomas Lawrence was decorated with the order of the legion of honour, and Mr. Constable and Mr. Fielding were also liberally awarded medals of gold. Subsequently to the period alluded to, Mr. Bonington undertook a tour to Italy, from which country he brought back some splendid specimens of his abilities ;-—his studies from nature literally breathing the atmosphere of the scenes so faithfully and beautifully repre- sented. It was his intention, had his life been spared, to have painted a series of pictures I similar to the Ducal Palace, exhibited this‘ year at the British Gallery, Pall Mall 5 It affords us a melancholy satisfaction to reflect, that from the first small work which Mr. Bonington exhibited in his native coun- try to the very last, we have invariably felt and expressed the same admiration of his lovers of the fine arts will join in this commo- grief; for except, perhaps, in Harlowe, there has been no such ornament of our native school out off in early prime, and in the full efl'ul- gence of spreading fame. Overwhelmed with the number of commissions which poured in upon him in consequence of his rising reputa- tion, he seems to have viewed the accumula. tion of employment with dismay: success was the proximate cause of his fatal malady. His nerves became deeply affected, and a rapid decline ensuedf“ which in four months pro- strated his strength to the tomb. His latest of. fort was to travel from Paris to London, where he arrived last week, to consult Mr. St. John Long ; but that gentleman declared him to be beyond all human aid; and he died at ten o’clock, on the 23d of September, Tuesday last. His closing hours were perfectly calm; and he was in full possession of his reason almost to the end. On Monday his remains are to be interred; and, as we have mentioned, the president and other members of the Royal Academy have proposed to pay a tribute of respect to his memory, by following his body to the grave. genius which is here embodied in a memoir . over his premature grave. He was, indeed, a child of nature; and his acute and sensitive temperament too soon wore out the mortal mansion in which its exhausting operations were performed—as in the alembic of the chemist, which throws oil‘ the inestimable produce, but perishes itself in the devouring flame. His mode of preparing for a picture was, after making an elaborate sketch for the outline and detail, to study the local colour most accu- rately; and here he never forgot to catch the peculiarities of the various groups of figures that frequented the spot selected for his pencil. It is unnecessary to particular-ise his works, which have been from time to time seen in London exhibitions, and which are now in the possession of the Duke of Bedford, the Mar. quess of Lansdowne, Countess de Grey, Mr. Vernon, and Mr. Carpenterf" the latter of whom has two of his greatest works of the Canaletti school. His disposition (we are as- sured by every one who knew him) was noble, generous, and benevolent in the extreme; and his filial afl’ection was a remarkable trait in his character. His parents have, indeed, lost in him a son of sons: he was their only child, their pride in life, and their irreparable bereavement in death. His friends, too, have to lament one whom they warmly loved : and, in short, we never heard more sincere and heart-felt regrets expressed for any individual, than we have heard from all who claimed his intimacy or regard. The public and the I" ich would be honourable to rdiy sch l of art, the su t is treated in a most masterly manner. As a graphic ' of the French ' monarch, it may be ranked with some of the well-de- scribed sccnes by Sir Walte ott in Quentin Durward, | or any other of his historical 'cls.” If you are to hav fame, said Dr. Wolcot, speaking of Opie, “ you must stay till you’ve been dead a hundred years.“ The Royal Academy are not quite so dilatory with regard to poo Boniuglon; for though they pushed his admirable wor I into an obscure corm , three months ago, they are no“ ‘ iuagnanimously pressing forward to give him, as far a» they are concerned, a public funeral! l-—-0ut upon suc l conduct! ' *- iriis last sketch, we believe, was done for Mr. Sharpe, and is to be engraved in the Anniversary: it consists 0 two female figures m a picturesque landscape. re the following extract. But Mr. War- ....‘s work would have pleased us better if he had had the candour to acknowledge how much he was indebted to Mr. Kempe’s notice of the antiquities of the War Bank, and we must remark, that he seems implicitly to fol- low the conjecture of that gentleman, that the Roman Noviomagus, or new city, was built upon the site of a British town. “ Gibson, Somner, and Stillingfleet, have placed the Noviomagus of Antoninus here (at Keston). This has been opposed principally because it is not on the line of the “Tatling- street way: but on reference to the Itinerary of Antoninus, we shall find that, to take in Noviomagus, it was necessary that the tra- veller should go considerably out of that direct road to the sea ports; for in ‘ than. 11. a Vallo ad Portum Ritupas,’ we find this ar- rangement: ‘ Londinium. Noviomagum, m. p s Vagniarim, m. p. un- Durobrivim, m. p. ix.’ Making the distance from London to Roches- 7 the ancient Durobrivis, thirty-seven miles< reas, in ‘ I'J‘EII. III. a Londinio ad For. an ausitei judge, we have, the king of jolly topers before us, as when " The grave lord keeper led the brawls, And seals and maccs danced before him. diary, Dowager Empress of Russia,- Nicholas , 1st, Emperor of all the Russias ,- Alma/2117a, Empress ofall the Russias ,- and Grand Dulce Alexander, Heir to the Russian Throne. Engraved by T. VVrig it, from Pictures by G. Dawe, RA. Colnaghi and Co. THESE engravings, although of a miniature 01' medallion size, are very ably executed; and we have no doubt that they possess a strong resemblance to the various 0 ' 'nals. There is an exceedingly pleasing e.\ ssion in the countenance of the Empr ' and the Empress Mary’s features have a st king resemblance to those of our own King. View his Majesty pleased to masquerade it in the wig of Charles the Second, the resemblance would be very curious. Forget-memo _..Mr. Ackermann undoubt- . lly possesses a great advantage over his com- lpctitors, and one of which he will not easily be ldeprived, in having been the first to introduce into thi. country the elegant d. ’iption of publications generally entitled “ Annuals.” But he is.a man of too much good sense and experience to trust to that circumstance alone for a continuance of his success; and, accord- ingly, we find him making great exertions to render his little volume deserving of the public patronage, for its intrinsic merits. We have lying before us proofs of the plates which are to embellish the next “ Forget-me-not;” and they are so beautiful that we must notice a few of the most striking.—“ The Proposl.” engraved by W. Humphrys, from a drawiu by J. Stephanofl', which must be rccollecteu with pleasure by all who visited the last ex— hibition of the Society of Painters in \Vater. colours. Mr. Humphrys has been highly suc- cessful in retaining the expression of the ori- ginal the delight of the fair enslaver, the affect nate congratulations of her mother and her friend, and the jealous agony ol'hcr rival...— “ The Idle School-boy,” engraved by ‘V. Fin- n1, from a drawing by H. Thomson, R.A. nIr. Finden has done great justice to the feel- ing and taste which Mr. Thomson infuses into every subject that he touches. It is an amus— ing exhibition of youthful listlessness; and the snail on the wall happily recalls the Shake- sperian passage of which it is an illustration... “ Eddystone Lighthouse,” engraved by R. \Vallis, from a drawing by S. Owen. The powers of Mr. Owen, in the representation of marine views, are well known; and thi is one of the most spirited efforts of histhat we have seen. It is admirably engraved.—.“ Marcus Curtius,” engraved by H. Le Keux, from a drawing by J. Martin. The minuteness and the multiplicity of the details in this exquisite little print are absolutely miraculous. It is necessary to use a glass of a strong magnifying power in order fully to appreciate them. They are, however, not allowed to interfere with the general effect, which is exceedingly grand.— “ Cottage Kitchen,” engraved by J. Romney, from a drawing by W. F. \Vitherington. A scene of rustic comfort and content, which, though very pleasingly depicted, is, we fear, not very common.-“ Vicenza,” engraved by Freebairn, from a drawing by S. Prout. The parkling clearness of Mr. Prout’s pencil has ' here been very happily imitated by Mr. Free- bairn’s gravcr. Besides the prints we have mentioned, there are “ Ellen Strathallan,” engraved by J. Agar, from a. picture by Miss . v, . . . ‘ the diversity of his unbounded talents, marine pieces were at once his favourites and chef- d‘wuvws. Yet we are almost unwilling to adhere tothis opinion, when we recollect that one picture, of quite another class, which he exhibited this year at Somerset House ;2—we allude to his Henry the Third of France,* in 4% Respecting this picture, in our Exhibition criticism, Literary Gazette, No. 591, May l7, we thus expressed ourselves, complaining of the scandalously bad light in which it was hung:-—“ Why is the pain of stooping till one’s back is nearly broken, to be inflicted as the price of the pleasure of looking at this able performance ?——a per- formance whichdt would have done credit to the judg- ment of the Academy, had they placed it in the best situation the rooms afford. [1n a'note—” The mantel of the Great Room would have been the proper place for this picture.”] Besides possessing a harmony of colouring ' L. Sharpe; “ The Blind Piper,” engraved by H. C. Shenton, from a drawing by L. Olen- nell; “ View on the Ganges,” engraved (ex- quisitely) .by E. Finden, from a drawing by W. Daniel], R.A.; “ Alice,” engraved by Joseph Goodyear, from a picture by C. R. Leslie, R.A. ; “ Constancy,” engraved by F. J. Portbury, from a picture by P. Stephanofl‘; “ Fathime and Euphrosyne,’ engraved by S. Davcnort from a icture bv . Cornculd - “ Frolic in a Palace,” engraved (very finely) by F. Engleheart, from a drawing by A. E. Chalon, ILA. ; and “ The Faithful Guardian,” engraved by‘ H_. C. Shenton, from a picture by A. Cooper, R.A.; all of which possess consi- derable merit. Friemls/zip’s O‘fiioringp—It is really surpris- ing to see the efforts that are making by the various proprietors and publishers of the little annual works, which have become so much the fashion during the last three or four years, to rival (me another in excellence. The embel- lishments which are to decorate the next vo- lume of “ Friendship’s Offering” are most of them admirable. “ La Frescura,” painted by T. Bone, engraved by “7. Le Petit, is a rich and elegant composition. “ Campbell Castle,” painted by G. Arnald, A.R.A., engraved by E. Goodall, reminds us of one of the finest pro— ductions of ‘Vilson and VVoollett, seen through a diminishing glass. “ Hours of Innocence,” painted by E. Landseer, A.R.A., engraved by J. A. Wright. Full of animation and cha. racter. “ The Rival Suitcrs,” painted by J. Stephanoif, engraved by J. Romney. Fe- male coquetry exquisitely displayed. In sub- , I . .. I . ...... . ‘ to luxuriate. “ L Fiancee de Marques,” painted by A. E. Chalon, R.A., engraved by ”William Humphrys. Graceful and attractive “ Glen,—Lynden," designed and engraved b J. Martin. A solemn and magnificent efl'ec : of Chiaroscuro. “ Cupid and Psyche,” pamte by J. Wood, engraved by E. Finden. ' fully composed. The repose of the god of love and the surprise and delight of the enamoureu Psyche, as she gazes on his youthful form, ar. perfect. “ The Cove of Muscat,” painted b XV. F. VVitherington, from a sketch by Lieut- col. Johnson, C.B., engraved by T. Jeavons. “ ’ vhly picturesque representation of this Cele.) ated Arabian port._.l5esides the plates which we have thus briefly noticed, the volume contains an elegant “ Presentation Plate,” en- graved by J. ‘V. Cook, from a design by H. Corbould. “ The “NH,” painted by \V. Kidd, engraved by J. Mitchell; “ The “filming,” painted by A. Cooper, R.A., engraved by A. W. \Varren; “ The Parting,” painted by B. R. Haydon, engraved by J. Romney; and “ The Minstrel Boy,” engraved by A. Dun- can, from a painting by C. R. Leslie, R.A.