Robert Wallis (engraver)
Encyclopedia
Robert Wallis was an English
line-engraver
.
, the son of Thomas Wallis, who was an assistant of Charles Heath
(1785–1848) and died in 1839. He was taught by his father, and became one of the ablest of the group of supremely skilful landscape-engravers who flourished during the second quarter of the nineteenth century, particularly excelling in the interpretation of the work of Joseph Mallord William Turner.
He engraved illustrations for Turner's "Picturesque Views on the Southern Coast of England" (with George Cooke
), Turner's "England and Wales" and "Rivers of France", Charles Heath's "Picturesque Annual", Robert Jennings's ‘Landscape Annual’, the fine editions of the works of Walter Scott
, Thomas Campbell, and Samuel Rogers
, the "Keepsake", the "Amulet", the "Literary Souvenir", and many other beautiful publications.
On a larger scale he engraved various plates for the "The Art Journal
" from pictures by Turner, Callcott
, Stanfield, Fripp
, and others, and many for the "Turner Gallery". Wallis's finest productions are the large plates after Turner, "Lake of Nemi" and "Approach to Venice"; a proof of the latter was exhibited at the Royal Academy
in 1859, and on its completion he retired from the profession. The remainder of his life was passed at Brighton
, where he died on 23 November 1878.
, London, which he conducted successfully until shortly before his death, which occurred on 15 October 1890.
Another brother, William Wallis, born in 1796, is known by a few choice plates executed for Jennings's ‘Landscape Annual,’ Heath's ‘Picturesque Annual,’ the ‘Keepsake,’ etc.
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...
line-engraver
Engraving
Engraving is the practice of incising a design on to a hard, usually flat surface, by cutting grooves into it. The result may be a decorated object in itself, as when silver, gold, steel, or glass are engraved, or may provide an intaglio printing plate, of copper or another metal, for printing...
.
Life and work
Wallis 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...
, the son of Thomas Wallis, who was an assistant of Charles Heath
Charles Heath
Charles Theodosius Heath was an English engraver, currency and stamp printer, book publisher and illustrator.-Life and work:...
(1785–1848) and died in 1839. He was taught by his father, and became one of the ablest of the group of supremely skilful landscape-engravers who flourished during the second quarter of the nineteenth century, particularly excelling in the interpretation of the work of Joseph Mallord William Turner.
He engraved illustrations for Turner's "Picturesque Views on the Southern Coast of England" (with George Cooke
George Cooke (engraver)
George Cooke , was an English line engraver.-Life and work:Cooke was born in London in 1781. His father was a native of Frankfurt, Germany, who in early life settled in England and became a wholesale confectioner. At the age of fourteen, George Cooke was apprenticed to James Basire...
), Turner's "England and Wales" and "Rivers of France", Charles Heath's "Picturesque Annual", Robert Jennings's ‘Landscape Annual’, the fine editions of the works of Walter Scott
Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet, popular throughout much of the world during his time....
, Thomas Campbell, and Samuel Rogers
Samuel Rogers
Samuel Rogers was an English poet, during his lifetime one of the most celebrated, although his fame has long since been eclipsed by his Romantic colleagues and friends Wordsworth, Coleridge and Byron...
, the "Keepsake", the "Amulet", the "Literary Souvenir", and many other beautiful publications.
On a larger scale he engraved various plates for the "The Art Journal
The Art Journal
The Art Journal, published in London, was the most important Victorian magazine on art. It was founded in 1839 by Hodgson & Graves, print publishers, 6 Pall Mall, with the title the Art Union Monthly Journal, the first issue of 750 copies appearing 15 February 1839.Hodgson & Graves hired Samuel...
" from pictures by Turner, Callcott
Augustus Wall Callcott
Sir Augustus Wall Callcott was an English landscape painter-Life and work:Callcott was born in Kensington gravel pits, London. His first study was music and he sang for several years in the choir of Westminster Abbey...
, Stanfield, Fripp
George Arthur Fripp
George Arthur Fripp was a British artist who specialised in watercolours. He was a grandson of the artist Nicholas Pocock and brother of the painter Alfred Downing Fripp....
, and others, and many for the "Turner Gallery". Wallis's finest productions are the large plates after Turner, "Lake of Nemi" and "Approach to Venice"; a proof of the latter was 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 1859, and on its completion he retired from the profession. The remainder of his life was passed at Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
, where he died on 23 November 1878.
Family
Henry Wallis (1805?–1890), brother of Robert, practised for some years as an engraver of small book-illustrations, but early in life was compelled by attacks of paralysis to seek another occupation. He then turned to picture-dealing, and eventually became the proprietor of the French Gallery in Pall MallPall Mall, London
Pall Mall is a street in the City of Westminster, London, and parallel to The Mall, from St. James's Street across Waterloo Place to the Haymarket; while Pall Mall East continues into Trafalgar Square. The street is a major thoroughfare in the St James's area of London, and a section of the...
, London, which he conducted successfully until shortly before his death, which occurred on 15 October 1890.
Another brother, William Wallis, born in 1796, is known by a few choice plates executed for Jennings's ‘Landscape Annual,’ Heath's ‘Picturesque Annual,’ the ‘Keepsake,’ etc.
External links
- Engravings by Robert Wallis (Royal Academy Collection)
- Stonehenge, Wiltshire (Engraving after Turner)
- The Scheldt, TEXEL ISLAND (Engraving after Stanfield)
- Saint John and Portland (from "Canadian Scenery", 1842 - engraving after William Henry BartlettWilliam Henry BartlettWilliam Henry Bartlett was a British artist, best known for his numerous steel engravings.-Biography:Bartlett was born in Kentish Town, London in 1809. He was apprenticed to John Britton , and became one of the foremost illustrators of topography of his generation...
) - View from the citadel of Quebec (1840)
