James Mathews Leigh
Encyclopedia
James Mathews Leigh was an English art educator, painter, writer, dramatist and critic. He is best known as the founder of a popular private art school in London
known as "Leigh's Academy", which eventually became the present day Heatherley School of Fine Art
.
in 1808, the son of Samuel Leigh, a well-known bookseller who ran a shop at 18 The Strand, near the Adelphi Theatre
London
- William Blake
was apparently a frequent visitor. James's uncle was the popular actor and theatre manager Charles Mathews
("the elder"). He studied art under William Etty
, deciding to make historical painting his speciality. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy
in 1830, with the paintings "Joseph presenting his Brethren to Pharaoh" and "Jephthah's Vow".
Soon after, he went on a tour of the continent, visiting galleries in France, Germany and Italy to study the works of the old masters and make sketches. Around this time also he devoted himself to writing, and, in 1838, privately published "Cromwell" an historical play in five acts, and later "The Rhenish Album". He then travelled to Spain where he made further sketches, resuming, on his return to England, work as a painter, and continuing to send paintings of sacred subjects and portraits to the Royal Academy and other exhibitions up to 1849.
However, Leigh is now better known as a teacher of drawing than as an artist. In 1848, he founded an academy of art, "Leigh's Academy", at 79 Newman Street, off Oxford Street
in London. It was well attended and became a formidable rival to the other main London art academy run by Henry Sass
("Sass's Academy"). He was said to be "a first rate teacher and a profound critic in matters of art". Many distinguished artists received their early training at Leigh's academy including Sir Frederic Leighton, Sir John Millais, Philip Hermogenes Calderon, Henry Stacy Marks
, Edward Poynter
, Joseph Boehm
Edwin Long
, Henry Holiday
, Frederick Walker
, John Bagnold Burgess
and others.
In his last twenty years, Leigh exhibited no work at any of the recognised exhibitions, instead showing it on the walls of his art academy. He was also in the habit of sketching the same subjects - often of themes from literature - as his students in their drawing classes.
Leigh had been a heavy pipe smoker throughout his life and developed cancer of the throat. He died shortly afterwards in London on 20 April 1860. His son, Henry Sambrooke Leigh
(1837-1883) was a writer and dramatist. After his death, the running of Leigh's art school was taken over by Thomas Heatherley and the school renamed (as was the fashion) "Heatherley's Art School
".
Attribution
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...
known as "Leigh's Academy", which eventually became the present day Heatherley School of Fine Art
Heatherley School of Fine Art
The Heatherley School of Fine Art was named after Thomas Heatherley who took over as principal from James Mathews Leigh . Founded in 1845, the school is affectionately known as Heatherley's...
.
Life and work
Leigh was born in LondonLondon
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...
in 1808, the son of Samuel Leigh, a well-known bookseller who ran a shop at 18 The Strand, near the Adelphi Theatre
Adelphi Theatre
The Adelphi Theatre is a 1500-seat West End theatre, located on the Strand in the City of Westminster. The present building is the fourth on the site. The theatre has specialised in comedy and musical theatre, and today it is a receiving house for a variety of productions, including many musicals...
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...
- William Blake
William Blake
William Blake was an English poet, painter, and printmaker. Largely unrecognised during his lifetime, Blake is now considered a seminal figure in the history of both the poetry and visual arts of the Romantic Age...
was apparently a frequent visitor. James's uncle was the popular actor and theatre manager Charles Mathews
Charles Mathews
Charles Mathews was an English theatre manager and comic actor, well-known during his time for his gift of impersonation and skill at table entertainment...
("the elder"). He studied art under William Etty
William Etty
William Etty was an English painter, best known for his paintings of nudes.-Beginnings:In accordance with the wishes of his father, Etty served seven years of apprenticeship to a printer in Hull...
, deciding to make historical painting his speciality. He first 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...
in 1830, with the paintings "Joseph presenting his Brethren to Pharaoh" and "Jephthah's Vow".
Soon after, he went on a tour of the continent, visiting galleries in France, Germany and Italy to study the works of the old masters and make sketches. Around this time also he devoted himself to writing, and, in 1838, privately published "Cromwell" an historical play in five acts, and later "The Rhenish Album". He then travelled to Spain where he made further sketches, resuming, on his return to England, work as a painter, and continuing to send paintings of sacred subjects and portraits to the Royal Academy and other exhibitions up to 1849.
However, Leigh is now better known as a teacher of drawing than as an artist. In 1848, he founded an academy of art, "Leigh's Academy", at 79 Newman Street, off Oxford Street
Oxford Street
Oxford Street is a major thoroughfare in the City of Westminster in the West End of London, United Kingdom. It is Europe's busiest shopping street, as well as its most dense, and currently has approximately 300 shops. The street was formerly part of the London-Oxford road which began at Newgate,...
in London. It was well attended and became a formidable rival to the other main London art academy run by Henry Sass
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...
("Sass's Academy"). He was said to be "a first rate teacher and a profound critic in matters of art". Many distinguished artists received their early training at Leigh's academy including Sir Frederic Leighton, Sir John Millais, Philip Hermogenes Calderon, Henry Stacy Marks
Henry Stacy Marks
Henry Stacy Marks was an English artist who took a particular interest in painting birds.-Life:Henry Stacy Marks was born in London as the fourth child of John Isaac Marks and Elizabeth née Pally. His father was a solicitor who later became a coach builder...
, Edward Poynter
Edward Poynter
Sir Edward John Poynter, 1st Baronet, PRA was an English painter, designer, and draughtsman who served as President of the Royal Academy.-Life:...
, Joseph Boehm
Joseph Boehm
Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, 1st Baronet, RA was a medallist and sculptor, best known for the Jubilee head of Queen Victoria on coinage, and the statue of the Duke of Wellington at Hyde Park Corner.-Biography:...
Edwin Long
Edwin Long
Edwin Longsden Long RA was an English genre, history, biblical and portrait painter.-Life and works:Long was born in Bath, Somerset, the son of E. Long, an artist , and was educated at Dr. Viner's School in Bath. Adopting the profession of a painter, Long came to London and studied in the British...
, Henry Holiday
Henry Holiday
Henry Holiday was an English historical genre and landscape painter, stained glass designer, illustrator and sculptor. He is considered to be a member of the Pre-Raphaelite school of art.-Early years and training:...
, Frederick Walker
Frederick Walker (painter)
Frederick Walker was an English social realist painter and illustrator described by Sir John Everett Millais as "the greatest artist of the century".__NOEDITSECTION__-Early Life and training:...
, John Bagnold Burgess
John Bagnold Burgess
John Bagnold Burgess was an English artist known for his of paintings of historical and genre scenes, principally in Spain.-Life and work:...
and others.
In his last twenty years, Leigh exhibited no work at any of the recognised exhibitions, instead showing it on the walls of his art academy. He was also in the habit of sketching the same subjects - often of themes from literature - as his students in their drawing classes.
Leigh had been a heavy pipe smoker throughout his life and developed cancer of the throat. He died shortly afterwards in London on 20 April 1860. His son, Henry Sambrooke Leigh
Henry Sambrooke Leigh
Henry Sambrooke Leigh was a writer and playwright.Leigh, son of James Mathews Leigh, was born in London on 29 March 1837. At an early age he engaged in literary pursuits. From time to time appeared collections of his lyrics, under the titles of ‘Carols of Cockayne’, 1869 ; ‘Gillott and...
(1837-1883) was a writer and dramatist. After his death, the running of Leigh's art school was taken over by Thomas Heatherley and the school renamed (as was the fashion) "Heatherley's Art School
Heatherley School of Fine Art
The Heatherley School of Fine Art was named after Thomas Heatherley who took over as principal from James Mathews Leigh . Founded in 1845, the school is affectionately known as Heatherley's...
".
Further reading
- William TinsleyWilliam TinsleyWilliam Tinsley was a British publisher. The son of a gamekeeper, he had little formal education; but together with his brother Edward he founded the firm of Tinsley Brothers, which published many of the leading novelists of the time.-Life:Tinsley was born in the village of South Mimms, north of...
. Random recollections of an old publisher, volume 1 (London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & co, 1900) pp. 189-201.
External links
- J. M. Leigh on Artnet
- Engraving of a portrait by Leigh (National Portrait Gallery, London)
Attribution