Benjamin Wilson (painter)
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Wilson was an English painter, printmaker and scientist (natural philosopher).
He was the 14th child of Major Wilson, a wealthy York
clothier whose house was decorated by the French history painter, Jacques Parmentier (d 1730). His father's business failed and Wilson moved to London
, where he became a legal clerk and began to study painting, with the encouragement of William Hogarth
, taking life-drawing classes at St. Martin's Lane Academy
. For two weeks in 1746 and again from 1748 to 1750 he was in Dublin, where he practised successfully as a portrait painter
and electrical scientist. On his return to London he settled into Godfrey Kneller
's old house in Great Queen Street
and built up a lucrative portrait practice, competing with the young Joshua Reynolds
. One of Wilson's sitters, Sir John Savile, later Earl of Mexborough
, may have introduced him to Edward Augustus, Duke of York
(1739-67), who favored him in numerous ways. The Duke hired Wilson to manage his small private theater in London, and in 1773 was instrumental in having Wilson appointed as Painter to the Board of Ordnance
, though he seems to have painted little after 1777.
As a scientist he opposed Benjamin Franklin
's theory of positive and negative electricity. Instead, Wilson supported Isaac Newton
's gravitational-optical ether, which he supposed to differ in density around bodies in accordance with their degrees of electrification. Wilson also opposed Franklin's theory of pointed lightning rods, holding that blunt conductors performed better than pointed ones. His best experimental work was on the electrical properties of tourmaline
, which gained Wilson international recognition, including election to several European academies of science. He had already been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1751 and received its gold Copley medal in 1760 for his tourmaline experiments.
Amongst Wilson's art pupils were portrait painter Richard Brompton
(d. 1782) and the esteemed Johann Zoffany.
He was the 14th child of Major Wilson, a wealthy York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
clothier whose house was decorated by the French history painter, Jacques Parmentier (d 1730). His father's business failed and Wilson moved 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...
, where he became a legal clerk and began to study painting, with the encouragement of William Hogarth
William Hogarth
William Hogarth was an English painter, printmaker, pictorial satirist, social critic and editorial cartoonist who has been credited with pioneering western sequential art. His work ranged from realistic portraiture to comic strip-like series of pictures called "modern moral subjects"...
, taking life-drawing classes at St. Martin's Lane Academy
St. Martin's Lane Academy
The St. Martin's Lane Academy, which was the precursor of the Royal Academy, was organized in 1735 by William Hogarth, from the circle of artists and designers who gathered at Slaughter's Coffee House at the upper end of St. Martin's Lane, London. The artistic set that introduced the Rococo style...
. For two weeks in 1746 and again from 1748 to 1750 he was in Dublin, where he practised successfully as a portrait painter
Portrait
thumb|250px|right|Portrait of [[Thomas Jefferson]] by [[Rembrandt Peale]], 1805. [[New-York Historical Society]].A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness,...
and electrical scientist. On his return to London he settled into Godfrey Kneller
Godfrey Kneller
Sir Godfrey Kneller, 1st Baronet was the leading portrait painter in England during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and was court painter to British monarchs from Charles II to George I...
's old house in Great Queen Street
Great Queen Street
Great Queen Street is a street in central London, England in the West End. It is a continuation of Long Acre from Drury Lane to Kingsway. It runs from 1 to 44 along the north side, east to west, and 45 to about 80 along the south side, west to east...
and built up a lucrative portrait practice, competing with the young Joshua Reynolds
Joshua Reynolds
Sir Joshua Reynolds RA FRS FRSA was an influential 18th-century English painter, specialising in portraits and promoting the "Grand Style" in painting which depended on idealization of the imperfect. He was one of the founders and first President of the Royal Academy...
. One of Wilson's sitters, Sir John Savile, later Earl of Mexborough
Earl of Mexborough
Earl of Mexborough, of Lifford in the County of Donegal, is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1766 for John Savile, 1st Baron Pollington, Member of Parliament for Hedon and New Shoreham...
, may have introduced him to Edward Augustus, Duke of York
Duke of York
The Duke of York is a title of nobility in the British peerage. Since the 15th century, it has, when granted, usually been given to the second son of the British monarch. The title has been created a remarkable eleven times, eight as "Duke of York" and three as the double-barreled "Duke of York and...
(1739-67), who favored him in numerous ways. The Duke hired Wilson to manage his small private theater in London, and in 1773 was instrumental in having Wilson appointed as Painter to the Board of Ordnance
Board of Ordnance
The Board of Ordnance was a British government body responsible for the supply of armaments and munitions to the Royal Navy and British Army. It was also responsible for providing artillery trains for armies and maintaining coastal fortresses and, later, management of the artillery and engineer...
, though he seems to have painted little after 1777.
As a scientist he opposed Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
's theory of positive and negative electricity. Instead, Wilson supported Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton PRS was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist, and theologian, who has been "considered by many to be the greatest and most influential scientist who ever lived."...
's gravitational-optical ether, which he supposed to differ in density around bodies in accordance with their degrees of electrification. Wilson also opposed Franklin's theory of pointed lightning rods, holding that blunt conductors performed better than pointed ones. His best experimental work was on the electrical properties of tourmaline
Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a crystal boron silicate mineral compounded with elements such as aluminium, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, or potassium. Tourmaline is classified as a semi-precious stone and the gem comes in a wide variety of colors...
, which gained Wilson international recognition, including election to several European academies of science. He had already been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1751 and received its gold Copley medal in 1760 for his tourmaline experiments.
Amongst Wilson's art pupils were portrait painter Richard Brompton
Richard Brompton
Richard Brompton, a portrait painter, was a pupil of Benjamin Wilson. He afterwards went to Italy, and resided some time at Rome, where he received instructions from Raphael Mengs. He was there introduced to the patronage of the Earl of Northampton, and accompanied that nobleman to Venice, when he...
(d. 1782) and the esteemed Johann Zoffany.
External links
- Benjamin Wilson online (ArtCyclopedia)
- Portrait of Arthur Macro (The Art Fund)