Portraits of Men of Eminence in Literature, Science, and Art, with Biographical Memoirs (Volume 1); The Photographs from Life (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863. Excerpt: ... 13 JOHN HENRY FOLEY, RA, RH.A. John Henry Foley was born in Dublin on the 24th of May, 1818. From early life his tastes pointed to Art, which being cherished by his grandfather, Mr. Schrowder, a sculptor of the same city, he entered the Eoyal Dublin Society as a student at the age of thirteen, and in one year carried away the first prize in each of the four separate departments for the study of the figure, animals, architecture, and modelling. With the ambition common to men of genius, he determined upon making London his future home. He became a student of the Royal Academy at seventeen, and being soon admitted to the higher schools for the study of the "life," worked with such power and earnestness as to be awarded the first prize therein. This success dates his transition from the pupil to the master, the Academy Catalogue for 1839 containing his name as the author of two works, ' The Death of Abel, ' and that sweetly simple figure 'Innocence. ' In his twenty-second year (1840) appeared the 'Ino and Bacchus, ' a conception of such classic beauty and poetic feeling as to place him at once on a level with the master-spirits of his art. This charming composition now graces the vestibule of Bridgewater House, having been purchased in marble by that distinguished patron of art, Francis, first Earl of Ellesmere. Following this, and still indulging in the ideal fancies of the poet, in 1842 was produced 'The Houseless Wanderer, ' a shivering, girlish form, so touchingly expressive, the coldest heart might warm in response to its appeal for pity. It will be remembered that by this date the Westminster Hall competition, in 1844, was becoming the leading topic in art circles, as an occasion for demonstrating to the world the existence of an art element in the nat...