Sawrey Gilpin
Encyclopedia
Sawrey Gilpin was an English
animal painter, illustrator, and etcher who specialised in paintings of horses and dogs. He was made a Royal Academician.
, the seventh child of Captain John Bernard
Gilpin, soldier and amateur artist, and Matilda Langstaffe, and younger brother of the Rev. William Gilpin
(clergyman, schoolmaster, and author of several influential works on picturesque scenery). Sawrey learnt drawing as a child from his father, and showing an early predilection for art, he was sent to London
at the age of fourteen, to study under Samuel Scott, the marine painter, in Covent Garden
. Gilpin, however, preferred sketching the passing market carts and horses, and it soon became evident that animals, and especially horses, were his speciality.
Gilpin left Scott in 1758, and devoted himself to animal painting from that time. Some of Gilpin's sketches
were shown to the Duke of Cumberland, who was much impressed by them, and employed Gilpin to draw from his stud at Newmarket and at Windsor
, where the Duke was ranger of the Great Park
. He afforded Gipin considerable material assistance in his profession.
Subsequently Gilpin resided at Knightsbridge
in London for some years. He became one of the best painters of horses that the country had produced, and nearly as successful in other areas of animal art. He sometimes attempted historical pictures on a larger scale in which horses were prominent, but with rather less success. He was an animal painter only, and required the assistance of others to paint landscapes and figures; for the former he often turned to George Barret, Sr., to whom he gave similar service in return, and for the latter he had recourse sometimes to John Zoffany, and Philip Reinagle
.
Gilpin first exhibited with the Incorporated Society of Artists in 1762, and continued to show pictures there, chiefly pictures of horses, up to 1783. In 1768, and 1770-1, he exhibited a series of pictures illustrating 'Gulliver's visit to the Houyhnhnms', one of which was engraved in mezzotint
by Valentine Green
; in 1770 a drawing of 'Darius gaining the Persian Empire by the neighing of his horse; in 1771 'The Duke of Cumberland visiting his stud (with a view of Windsor Castle from the Great Park, by
William Marlow
)'. In 1773 he became a director of the society, and in 1774 president.
In 1786 he exhibited at the Royal Academy
, London and continued to show pictures there until his death. He was elected an associate of the academy (ARA) in 1795, and Royal Academician (RA) in 1797.
Gilpin married Elizabeth Broom; their son William Sawrey Gilpin
(1762–1843) also became an artist, and in later life a landscape gardener. After losing his wife Gilpin resided for some time with his friend Samuel Whitbread in Bedfordshire
. He subsequently returned to London, and spent his declining years with his daughters at Brompton
, where he died 8 March 1807, in his seventy-fourth year.
Amongst his pupils were John Warwick Smith
and George Garrard
- the latter married his eldest daughter Matilda.
, and now in the National Portrait Gallery.
Works by Sawrey Gilpin are in the collections of the Courtauld Institute of Art
, Tate Britain
, and the Royal Academy
,
in London
and the Fitzwilliam Museum
, Cambridge
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
animal painter, illustrator, and etcher who specialised in paintings of horses and dogs. He was made a Royal Academician.
Life and work
Gilpin was born in Carlisle in CumbriaCumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
, the seventh child of Captain John Bernard
Gilpin, soldier and amateur artist, and Matilda Langstaffe, and younger brother of the Rev. William Gilpin
William Gilpin (clergyman)
The Reverend William Gilpin was an English artist, clergyman, schoolmaster, and author, best known as one of the originators of the idea of the picturesque.-Early life:...
(clergyman, schoolmaster, and author of several influential works on picturesque scenery). Sawrey learnt drawing as a child from his father, and showing an early predilection for art, he was sent to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
at the age of fourteen, to study under Samuel Scott, the marine painter, in Covent Garden
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
. Gilpin, however, preferred sketching the passing market carts and horses, and it soon became evident that animals, and especially horses, were his speciality.
Gilpin left Scott in 1758, and devoted himself to animal painting from that time. Some of Gilpin's sketches
were shown to the Duke of Cumberland, who was much impressed by them, and employed Gilpin to draw from his stud at Newmarket and at Windsor
Windsor, Berkshire
Windsor is an affluent suburban town and unparished area in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. It is widely known as the site of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British Royal Family....
, where the Duke was ranger of the Great Park
Windsor Great Park
Windsor Great Park is a large deer park of , to the south of the town of Windsor on the border of Berkshire and Surrey in England. The park was, for many centuries, the private hunting ground of Windsor Castle and dates primarily from the mid-13th century...
. He afforded Gipin considerable material assistance in his profession.
Subsequently Gilpin resided at Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge is a road which gives its name to an exclusive district lying to the west of central London. The road runs along the south side of Hyde Park, west from Hyde Park Corner, spanning the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
in London for some years. He became one of the best painters of horses that the country had produced, and nearly as successful in other areas of animal art. He sometimes attempted historical pictures on a larger scale in which horses were prominent, but with rather less success. He was an animal painter only, and required the assistance of others to paint landscapes and figures; for the former he often turned to George Barret, Sr., to whom he gave similar service in return, and for the latter he had recourse sometimes to John Zoffany, and Philip Reinagle
Philip Reinagle
Philip Reinagle was an English animal, landscape and botanical painter.- Biography :Philip Reinagle entered the schools of the Royal Academy in 1769, and afterwards became a pupil of Allan Ramsay , whom he assisted in the numerous portraits of George III and Queen Charlotte...
.
Gilpin first exhibited with the Incorporated Society of Artists in 1762, and continued to show pictures there, chiefly pictures of horses, up to 1783. In 1768, and 1770-1, he exhibited a series of pictures illustrating 'Gulliver's visit to the Houyhnhnms', one of which was engraved in mezzotint
Mezzotint
Mezzotint is a printmaking process of the intaglio family, technically a drypoint method. It was the first tonal method to be used, enabling half-tones to be produced without using line- or dot-based techniques like hatching, cross-hatching or stipple...
by Valentine Green
Valentine Green
Valentine Green was a British engraver.-Biography:Born in Salford Priors, he was placed by his father in a solicitor's office at Evesham, where he remained for two years; but ultimately he decided, on his own responsibility, to abandon the legal profession and became a pupil of a line engraver at...
; in 1770 a drawing of 'Darius gaining the Persian Empire by the neighing of his horse; in 1771 'The Duke of Cumberland visiting his stud (with a view of Windsor Castle from the Great Park, by
William Marlow
William Marlow
William Marlow was a British landscape and marine painter and etcher.-Life:Marlow was born in Southwark in London, and studied for 5 years under Samuel Scott the marine painter, and also at the St...
)'. In 1773 he became a director of the society, and in 1774 president.
In 1786 he exhibited 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...
, London and continued to show pictures there until his death. He was elected an associate of the academy (ARA) in 1795, and Royal Academician (RA) in 1797.
Gilpin married Elizabeth Broom; their son William Sawrey Gilpin
William Sawrey Gilpin
William Sawrey Gilpin was an English artist, drawing master and, in later life, landscape designer.Gilpin was the son of the animal painter Sawrey Gilpin. He attended the school of his uncle, William Gilpin, at Cheam in Surrey...
(1762–1843) also became an artist, and in later life a landscape gardener. After losing his wife Gilpin resided for some time with his friend Samuel Whitbread in Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
. He subsequently returned to London, and spent his declining years with his daughters at Brompton
Brompton
A Brompton, Brompton, or The Brompton can be:* Brompton, London, England* Brompton Oratory, a Catholic church* Brompton Bicycle, the largest bicycle manufacturer in the United Kingdom* Holy Trinity Brompton Church, an Anglican church...
, where he died 8 March 1807, in his seventy-fourth year.
Amongst his pupils were John Warwick Smith
John Warwick Smith
John "Warwick" Smith was a British watercolour landscape painter and illustrator.-Life and work:John Smith was born at Irthington, near Carlisle, Cumberland, the son of a gardener to the Gilpin family, and was educated at St. Bees...
and George Garrard
George Garrard
George Garrard was an English animal, landscape and portrait painter, modeller, sculptor, engraver and printmaker...
- the latter married his eldest daughter Matilda.
Works
Many of his pictures of horses, dogs, and sporting scenes were engraved, notably 'The Death of the Fox' (Royal Academy, 1788), engraved by John Scott (1774–1827); and 'Heron-Hawking' (Society of Artists, 1780), engraved by Thomas Morris (fl. 1780-1800). He also made some etchings of horses and cattle, and contributed numerous drawings for the illustration of his brother's (the Rev. W. Gilpin) published and unpublished works. His portrait is in the series of drawings by George Dance (1741–1821), engraved by William DaniellWilliam Daniell
William Daniell RA was an English landscape and marine painter, and engraver. He travelled extensively in the Far East, helping to produce one of the finest illustrated volumes of the period - "Oriental Scenery". He also travelled around the coastline of Britain to paint watercolours for the...
, and now in the National Portrait Gallery.
Works by Sawrey Gilpin are in the collections of the Courtauld Institute of Art
Courtauld Institute of Art
The Courtauld Institute of Art is a self-governing college of the University of London specialising in the study of the history of art. The Courtauld is one of the premier centres for the teaching of art history in the world; it was the only History of Art department in the UK to be awarded a top...
, Tate Britain
Tate Britain
Tate Britain is an art gallery situated on Millbank in London, and part of the Tate gallery network in Britain, with Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives. It is the oldest gallery in the network, opening in 1897. It houses a substantial collection of the works of J. M. W. Turner.-History:It...
, and 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...
,
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and the Fitzwilliam Museum
Fitzwilliam Museum
The Fitzwilliam Museum is the art and antiquities museum of the University of Cambridge, located on Trumpington Street opposite Fitzwilliam Street in central Cambridge, England. It receives around 300,000 visitors annually. Admission is free....
, Cambridge
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
.
Further reading
- Gilbey, Sir Walter. Animal painters of England from the year 1650, volume 1 (London : Vinton & Co., 1900) p190 ff.
External links
- Sawrey Gilpin online (ArtCyclopedia)