Samuel De Wilde
Encyclopedia
Samuel De Wilde born and died in London, was a portrait painter and etcher of Dutch descent famous for his theatrical paintings. He was the son of a Dutch joiner who had settled in London by 1748.
He was apprenticed to his godfather, Samuel Haworth, a joiner in London, but left after five years and enrolled at at the Royal Academy Schools from 1769. He exhibited small portraits at the Society of Artists
(1776–1778) and at the Royal Academy
(from 1778). His career in theatrical portraiture began when he was employed by John Bell
as portraitist for his publication British Theatre, a series that ran from 1791 until 1795. He became well known for his theatrical portraiture, which he exhibited at the Royal Academy
from 1792 until 1821. At his studio in Drury Lane many actors and actresses came to sit for him and his theatrical portraits appeared in numerous publications, including the Monthly Mirror, John Cawthorn's Minor British Theatre and William Oxberry's New English Drama.
He was apprenticed to his godfather, Samuel Haworth, a joiner in London, but left after five years and enrolled at at the Royal Academy Schools from 1769. He exhibited small portraits at the Society of Artists
Society of Artists
The Society of Artists of Great Britain was founded in London in May 1761 by an association of artists in order to provide a venue for the public exhibition of recent work by living artists, such as was having success in the long-established Paris salons....
(1776–1778) and 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...
(from 1778). His career in theatrical portraiture began when he was employed by John Bell
John Bell (publisher)
John Bell was an English publisher. The Dictionary of National Biography has Charles Knight calling Bell a "mischievous spirit, the very Puck of booksellers." His 109-volume, literature-for-the-masses Poets of Great Britain Complete from Chaucer to Churchill, which rivaled Samuel Johnson's Lives...
as portraitist for his publication British Theatre, a series that ran from 1791 until 1795. He became well known for his theatrical portraiture, which he 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...
from 1792 until 1821. At his studio in Drury Lane many actors and actresses came to sit for him and his theatrical portraits appeared in numerous publications, including the Monthly Mirror, John Cawthorn's Minor British Theatre and William Oxberry's New English Drama.