Francis Oliver Finch
Encyclopedia
Francis Oliver Finch was an English water-colour painter.
Finch was the son of Francis Finch, a merchant in Friday Street, Cheapside
, London, was born 22 November 1802, and spent his boyhood at Stone, near Aylesbury
. When twelve years of age, at that time fatherless, he was placed under John Varley, with whom he worked altogether five years, a friend having paid a premium of 200l. Among his earliest patrons was Lord Northwick
, a patron of the fine arts, who employed the youth in making views of his mansion and grounds. Some time after leaving his master's studio the same friend who had assisted in placing him there afforded him the benefit of a tour through Scotland.
After his return he doubted for some time whether he should continue the practice of landscape or enter as a student at the Royal Academy
. He joined Sass's life academy
and produced several portraits, but circumstances drawing him back to landscape-painting he became a candidate for admission into the then newly formed Society of Painters in Water Colours. On 11 Feb. 1822 he was elected an associate, and on 4 June 1827 a member of that society. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1817, at that period living at 44 Conduit Street, Bond Street. He married in the spring of 1837, and resided for some time in Charlotte Street and afterwards in Argyle Square, Euston Road
. On 10 Oct. 1861 Finch lost the use of his limbs, and died 27 August 1862.
He possessed a fine voice, and was a thorough musician, as well as a poet. He printed a collection of sonnets entitled 'An Artist's Dream.' Among his best works may be mentioned 'Garmallon's Tomb,' oil (1820) ; 'View of Loch Lomond' (1822) : 'View on the River Tay' (1827); 'View of Windsor Castle' (1829) ; 'View of the College of Aberdeen' (1832) ; scene from Milton's 'Comus' (1835); 'Alpine Scene, Evening' (1838); 'A Watch Tower' (1840); 'The Thames near Cookham, Berkshire (1845) ; 'Ruined Temple, Evening' (1852) ; 'Rocky Glen, Evening' (1855) ; 'The Curfew - Gray's Elegy' (1860) ; 'Pastoral Retreat' (1861) ; and 'Moonlight over the Sea' (1862). His portrait has been engraved by A. Roffe.
Finch was the son of Francis Finch, a merchant in Friday Street, Cheapside
Cheapside
Cheapside is a street in the City of London that links Newgate Street with the junction of Queen Victoria Street and Mansion House Street. To the east is Mansion House, the Bank of England, and the major road junction above Bank tube station. To the west is St. Paul's Cathedral, St...
, London, was born 22 November 1802, and spent his boyhood at Stone, near Aylesbury
Aylesbury
Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire in South East England. However the town also falls into a geographical region known as the South Midlands an area that ecompasses the north of the South East, and the southern extremities of the East Midlands...
. When twelve years of age, at that time fatherless, he was placed under John Varley, with whom he worked altogether five years, a friend having paid a premium of 200l. Among his earliest patrons was Lord Northwick
John Rushout, 2nd Baron Northwick
John Rushout, 2nd Baron Northwick was an English peer, landowner and collector of art works.Rushout was the son of John Rushout, 1st Baron Northwick and his wife Rebecca Bowles. He was educated at a school at Hackney rather than Eton like his father and did not go to an English university....
, a patron of the fine arts, who employed the youth in making views of his mansion and grounds. Some time after leaving his master's studio the same friend who had assisted in placing him there afforded him the benefit of a tour through Scotland.
After his return he doubted for some time whether he should continue the practice of landscape or enter as a student at the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
. He joined Sass's life academy
Henry Sass
Henry Sass was an English artist and teacher of painting, who founded an important art school, Sass's Academy , in London, to provide training for those seeking to enter the Royal Academy. Many distinguished British painters received their early training here...
and produced several portraits, but circumstances drawing him back to landscape-painting he became a candidate for admission into the then newly formed Society of Painters in Water Colours. On 11 Feb. 1822 he was elected an associate, and on 4 June 1827 a member of that society. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1817, at that period living at 44 Conduit Street, Bond Street. He married in the spring of 1837, and resided for some time in Charlotte Street and afterwards in Argyle Square, Euston Road
Euston Road
Euston Road is an important thoroughfare in central London, England, and forms part of the A501. It is part of the New Road from Paddington to Islington, and was opened as part of the New Road in 1756...
. On 10 Oct. 1861 Finch lost the use of his limbs, and died 27 August 1862.
He possessed a fine voice, and was a thorough musician, as well as a poet. He printed a collection of sonnets entitled 'An Artist's Dream.' Among his best works may be mentioned 'Garmallon's Tomb,' oil (1820) ; 'View of Loch Lomond' (1822) : 'View on the River Tay' (1827); 'View of Windsor Castle' (1829) ; 'View of the College of Aberdeen' (1832) ; scene from Milton's 'Comus' (1835); 'Alpine Scene, Evening' (1838); 'A Watch Tower' (1840); 'The Thames near Cookham, Berkshire (1845) ; 'Ruined Temple, Evening' (1852) ; 'Rocky Glen, Evening' (1855) ; 'The Curfew - Gray's Elegy' (1860) ; 'Pastoral Retreat' (1861) ; and 'Moonlight over the Sea' (1862). His portrait has been engraved by A. Roffe.