Edward Rooker
Encyclopedia
Edward Rooker was an English engraver, draughtsman and actor.
Rooker was born in Towcester
in Northamptonshire around 1712, to Michael and Ann Rooker, and was a pupil of Henry Roberts
, a landscape engraver. He became celebrated for his architectural plates, which he executed in an extremely rich and artistic style. Art historian Horace Walpole
termed him the "Marc Antonio
" of architecture.
Among Rooker's early works are a view on the Thames from Somerset House
(1750), and a view of Vauxhall Gardens
(1751), both after Canaletto
; a view of the Parthenon
for Dalton's 'Views of Sicily and Greece' (1751), and a section of St. Paul's Cathedral, decorated according to the
original intention of Sir Christopher Wren, from a drawing by J. Gwyn and S. Wale
(1755).
Rooker also contributed plates to Sir William Chambers
' 'Civil Architecture' (1759) and 'Kew Gardens' (1763), James Stuart's 'The Antiquities of Athens and Other Monuments of Greece' (1762), and Robert Adam
's 'Ruins of the
Palace of Diocletian at Spalatro' (1764).
Perhaps Rooker's finest work is a set of six views of London, engraved in the manner of Piranesi
from drawings by Paul
and Thomas Sandby
, which
he published himself in 1766. In that year he also drew and engraved a large view of Blackfriars Bridge
, then in course of construction. He engraved many landscapes after William Pars
, Paul Sandby, Richard Wilson
, and others. He also etched, in conjunction with Sandby, three of the set of six large plates of subjects from Tasso
's "Gerusalemme Liberata' (painted by John Collins [c. 1725 - c. 1759]).
The headings of the 'Oxford Almanack
s' from 1769 to 1775 were all the joint work of Edward and his son Michael
. Rooker was an original member of the Incorporated Society of Artists, and exhibited with them from 1760 to 1768. His last work was done for the 'Copper Plate Magazine', forming a series of landscapes and portraits, which began to appear a few months before his
death.
Rooker was also an actor, working at the Drury Lane Theatre
in London between 1752-74, often playing the role of the harlequin
.
Edward Rooker died on 22 November 1774 at his house in Great Russell Street
in Bloomsbury
. His son Michael Angelo Rooker
was a notable artist and engraver. Another son Edward Rooker Jr. was also an engraver.
Life and work
Towcester
Towcester , the Roman town of Lactodorum, is a small town in south Northamptonshire, England.-Etymology:Towcester comes from the Old English Tófe-ceaster. Tófe refers to the River Tove; Bosworth and Toller compare it to the "Scandinavian proper names" Tófi and Tófa...
in Northamptonshire around 1712, to Michael and Ann Rooker, and was a pupil of Henry Roberts
Henry Roberts (engraver)
Henry Roberts was an English engraver, printseller and music publisher operating from London in the 18th century.In 1739 he published a work called Calliope or English Harmony, which he described as:a collection of the most celebrated English and Scots songs, neatly engrav'd and embelish'd with...
, a landscape engraver. He became celebrated for his architectural plates, which he executed in an extremely rich and artistic style. Art historian Horace Walpole
Horace Walpole, 4th Earl of Orford
Horatio Walpole, 4th Earl of Orford was an English art historian, man of letters, antiquarian and Whig politician. He is now largely remembered for Strawberry Hill, the home he built in Twickenham, south-west London where he revived the Gothic style some decades before his Victorian successors,...
termed him the "Marc Antonio
Marcantonio Franceschini
Marcantonio Franceschini , was an Italian painter of the Baroque period, active mostly in his native Bologna. He was the father and teacher of Giacomo Franceschini.-Biography :...
" of architecture.
Among Rooker's early works are a view on the Thames from Somerset House
Somerset House
Somerset House is a large building situated on the south side of the Strand in central London, England, overlooking the River Thames, just east of Waterloo Bridge. The central block of the Neoclassical building, the outstanding project of the architect Sir William Chambers, dates from 1776–96. It...
(1750), and a view of Vauxhall Gardens
Vauxhall Gardens
Vauxhall Gardens was a pleasure garden, one of the leading venues for public entertainment in London, England from the mid 17th century to the mid 19th century. Originally known as New Spring Gardens, the site was believed to have opened before the Restoration of 1660 with the first mention being...
(1751), both after Canaletto
Canaletto
Giovanni Antonio Canal better known as Canaletto , was a Venetian painter famous for his landscapes, or vedute, of Venice. He was also an important printmaker in etching.- Early career :...
; a view of the Parthenon
Parthenon
The Parthenon is a temple on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their virgin patron. Its construction began in 447 BC when the Athenian Empire was at the height of its power. It was completed in 438 BC, although...
for Dalton's 'Views of Sicily and Greece' (1751), and a section of St. Paul's Cathedral, decorated according to the
original intention of Sir Christopher Wren, from a drawing by J. Gwyn and S. Wale
(1755).
Rooker also contributed plates to Sir William Chambers
William Chambers (architect)
Sir William Chambers was a Scottish architect, born in Gothenburg, Sweden, where his father was a merchant. Between 1740 and 1749 he was employed by the Swedish East India Company making several voyages to China where he studied Chinese architecture and decoration.Returning to Europe, he studied...
' 'Civil Architecture' (1759) and 'Kew Gardens' (1763), James Stuart's 'The Antiquities of Athens and Other Monuments of Greece' (1762), and Robert Adam
Robert Adam
Robert Adam was a Scottish neoclassical architect, interior designer and furniture designer. He was the son of William Adam , Scotland's foremost architect of the time, and trained under him...
's 'Ruins of the
Palace of Diocletian at Spalatro' (1764).
Perhaps Rooker's finest work is a set of six views of London, engraved in the manner of Piranesi
Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Giovanni Battista Piranesi was an Italian artist famous for his etchings of Rome and of fictitious and atmospheric "prisons" .-His Life:...
from drawings by Paul
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 Sandby
Thomas Sandby
Thomas Sandby was an English draughtsman, watercolour artist, architect and teacher. Along with his younger brother Paul, he became one of the founding members of the Royal Academy in 1768, and was its first professor of architecture...
, which
he published himself in 1766. In that year he also drew and engraved a large view of Blackfriars Bridge
Blackfriars Bridge
Blackfriars Bridge is a road and foot traffic bridge over the River Thames in London, between Waterloo Bridge and Blackfriars Railway Bridge, carrying the A201 road. The north end is near the Inns of Court and Temple Church, along with Blackfriars station...
, then in course of construction. He engraved many landscapes after William Pars
William Pars
William Pars was an English watercolour portrait and landscape painter, draughtsman and illustrator.-Life and works:...
, Paul Sandby, 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...
, and others. He also etched, in conjunction with Sandby, three of the set of six large plates of subjects from Tasso
Torquato Tasso
Torquato Tasso was an Italian poet of the 16th century, best known for his poem La Gerusalemme liberata , in which he depicts a highly imaginative version of the combats between Christians and Muslims at the end of the First Crusade, during the siege of Jerusalem...
's "Gerusalemme Liberata' (painted by John Collins [c. 1725 - c. 1759]).
The headings of the 'Oxford Almanack
Oxford Almanack
The Oxford Almanack is an annual almanac published by the Oxford University Press for the University of Oxford since 1674. The Oxford University Press originally held a monopoly on publishing almanacs...
s' from 1769 to 1775 were all the joint work of Edward and his son Michael
Michael Angelo Rooker
Michael "Angelo" Rooker was an English oil and watercolour painter of architecture and landscapes, illustrator and engraver. He was also the principal scene painter at the Haymarket Theatre.-Life and work:...
. Rooker was an original member of the Incorporated Society of Artists, and exhibited with them from 1760 to 1768. His last work was done for the 'Copper Plate Magazine', forming a series of landscapes and portraits, which began to appear a few months before his
death.
Rooker was also an actor, working at the Drury Lane Theatre
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is a West End theatre in Covent Garden, in the City of Westminster, a borough of London. The building faces Catherine Street and backs onto Drury Lane. The building standing today is the most recent in a line of four theatres at the same location dating back to 1663,...
in London between 1752-74, often playing the role of the harlequin
Harlequin
Harlequin or Arlecchino in Italian, Arlequin in French, and Arlequín in Spanish is the most popularly known of the zanni or comic servant characters from the Italian Commedia dell'arte and its descendant, the Harlequinade.-Origins:...
.
Edward Rooker died on 22 November 1774 at his house in Great Russell Street
Great Russell Street
Great Russell Street is a street in Bloomsbury, central London, England. It is the location of the main entrance of the British Museum to the north. The Congress Centre of the Trades Union Congress is located at number 28...
in Bloomsbury
Bloomsbury
-Places:* Bloomsbury is an area in central London.* Bloomsbury , related local government unit* Bloomsbury, New Jersey, New Jersey, USA* Bloomsbury , listed on the NRHP in Maryland...
. His son Michael Angelo Rooker
Michael Angelo Rooker
Michael "Angelo" Rooker was an English oil and watercolour painter of architecture and landscapes, illustrator and engraver. He was also the principal scene painter at the Haymarket Theatre.-Life and work:...
was a notable artist and engraver. Another son Edward Rooker Jr. was also an engraver.
External links
- Edward & Michael “Angelo” Rooker (Towcester families)
- Works by Edward Rooker (Government Art CollectionGovernment Art CollectionThe United Kingdom's Government Art Collection places works of art in major Government buildings in the UK and around the world to promote British art, culture and history....
) - A View of the Wilderness, with the Alhambra (c. 1763 engraving after W. Pars - Royal Collection)