William Ellis (engraver)
Encyclopedia
William Ellis was an English engraver.
Ellis was born in London in 1747, the son of a writing engraver, and was placed as a pupil with William Woollett
.
Ellis produced some fine plates in the style of his teacher, some being executed in conjunction with him, including the two portraits of Rubens and his wife, published in 1774; A River Scene with a Windmill, after Salomon Ruysdael, published in 1777; Solitude, after Richard Wilson
, published in 1778; and two scenes from the Vicar of Wakefield, after Thomas Hearne
, published in 1780, and exhibited at the Society of Artists in that year.
Ellis engraved several topographical views after Paul Sandby
and Thomas Hearne, a set of The Seasons after Hearne, and some plates for the Ladies' Magazine. In 1800 he aquatinted a set of engravings of Views of the Memorable Victory of the Nile engraved by Francis Chesham from paintings by William Anderson
. Some of his engravings, such as Peasants Dancing after Berchem, are signed "William and Elizabeth Ellis", and a plate of The Solitary Traveller after J. Pye, is stated to be etched by Elizabeth Ellis alone. She was no doubt his wife, and assisted him in his art.
Ellis died in 1810, as is shown from the inscription on a plate representing 'A South View of the City of Exeter, from a Drawing taken at Shooting Marsh by the late Mr, William Ellis,' published 24 Nov. 1810, in aid of his five orphan children. In 1814 a set of Twenty-nine Views illustrative of the Rev. Daniel Lysons
's Environs of London, drawn and engraved by William Ellis was published .
Ellis was born in London in 1747, the son of a writing engraver, and was placed as a pupil with William Woollett
William Woollett
William Woollett was an English engraver. He was born at Maidstone, of a family which came originally from the Netherlands....
.
Ellis produced some fine plates in the style of his teacher, some being executed in conjunction with him, including the two portraits of Rubens and his wife, published in 1774; A River Scene with a Windmill, after Salomon Ruysdael, published in 1777; Solitude, after Richard Wilson
Richard Wilson (painter)
Richard Wilson was a Welsh landscape painter, and one of the founder members of the Royal Academy in 1768. Wilson has been described as '...the most distinguished painter Wales has ever produced and the first to appreciate the aesthetic possibilities of his country.' He is considered to be the...
, published in 1778; and two scenes from the Vicar of Wakefield, after Thomas Hearne
Thomas Hearne (artist)
Thomas Hearne was an English landscape painter, engraver and illustrator. Hearne's watercolours were typified by applying a wash over a clear outline in fine brush, pen or pencil. His techniques were studied by younger artists such as Thomas Girtin and J. M. W. Turner.-Early Life:Thomas Hearne...
, published in 1780, and exhibited at the Society of Artists in that year.
Ellis engraved several topographical views after Paul Sandby
Paul Sandby
Paul Sandby was an English map-maker turned landscape painter in watercolours, who, along with his older brother Thomas, became one of the founding members of the Royal Academy in 1768.-Life and work:...
and Thomas Hearne, a set of The Seasons after Hearne, and some plates for the Ladies' Magazine. In 1800 he aquatinted a set of engravings of Views of the Memorable Victory of the Nile engraved by Francis Chesham from paintings by William Anderson
William Anderson (artist)
William Anderson was born in Scotland and became an artist specializing in maritime and patriotic themes..Anderson's training as a shipwright stood him in good stead when he became an artist specializing in maritime art based on the Dutch 17th century Masters. He first exhibited at the Royal...
. Some of his engravings, such as Peasants Dancing after Berchem, are signed "William and Elizabeth Ellis", and a plate of The Solitary Traveller after J. Pye, is stated to be etched by Elizabeth Ellis alone. She was no doubt his wife, and assisted him in his art.
Ellis died in 1810, as is shown from the inscription on a plate representing 'A South View of the City of Exeter, from a Drawing taken at Shooting Marsh by the late Mr, William Ellis,' published 24 Nov. 1810, in aid of his five orphan children. In 1814 a set of Twenty-nine Views illustrative of the Rev. Daniel Lysons
Daniel Lysons
Daniel Lysons was a notable English antiquary and topographer of the late 18th and early 19th century, who published the four-volume The Environs of London ....
's Environs of London, drawn and engraved by William Ellis was published .