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Death of Danby the Artist.—The RoyalAcademy has lost one of its oldest members. Mr. Francis Danby, R.A., who died at Exmouth on Sunday last, was elected an Associate so far back as 1835, but it was not till lately that be was advanced to the honour of belonging to the select Forty. He was an Irishman, the son of a small proprietor, near Wexford. His first pictures were exhibited in Dublin, but a visit to the Exhibition of the Royal Academy in 1820 determined bim to bring his genius to the great central market. The first picture he exhibited at the Royal Academy was called Disappointed Love.” This was followed, in 1853, by Warriorsof the Olden Time listening to their Minstrel.” In 1824 his “Sunset at Sea after a Storm” appeared ; and his reputation was established. The picture was bought by Sir Thomas Lawrence, who immediately became the young painter’s friend and patron. His subsequent pictures were chiefly in the style of Martin, whom Danby surpassed, however, in correctness of drawing aud purity of colour. The best known of bis works are “ The Delivery of Israel out of Egypt,” “The Embarkation of Cleopatra on the Cydnus,” from Shakspeare, “The Opening of the Seventh Seal,” from the Apocalypse (bought by Beckford), “ The Passage of the Red Sea,” and “ The Deluge.” All these have been engraved—some of them several times over. That Mr. Danby was not elected sooner into the number of the Forty, in which appeared many names inferior to his in merit and fame, is perhaps to be attributed to his long residence on the Continent. In 1829 he went to Switzerland, wandered from place to place, and did not return tili 1841, when he settled in Exmoutb. During his absence he did not, we believe, paint any picture of note. In the busy world of London, in which genius has to elbow and push its way to distinction through an eager crowd of rivals, to be out of sight is indeed to be out of mind. At the Exhibition of the British Institution, now open, there are several meritorious pictures by his sons, Mr. J. and Mr. T. Danby. Mr. Boxall will now, wo doubt not, take the place which he lost by one vote at the last election, and to which he is acknowledged to have ajust title.—The O'uardian.
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Leeds Intelligencer
Leeds, West Yorkshire, GB
Sat, Feb 23, 1861
Page 3
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Adam N.
NA, 04 Nov 2024
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