Thomas Sibson
Encyclopedia
Thomas Sibson was an English artist.
, he was born in the parish of Cross Canonby, Cumberland
, in March 1817. He started work in the counting-house of an uncle in Manchester
. Deciding to become an artist, he came to London in 1838. To study history painting
, Sibson went to Munich
in September 1842 to be taught by Wilhelm von Kaulbach
.
Sibson was suffering from tuberculosis
, and was compelled by bad health to return home early in 1844. In the autumn he sailed for the Mediterranean, intending to winter in the south, but died at Malta
on 28 November 1844.
's works, in a style described as "spidery Gothic". He subsequently designed many of the illustrations to Samuel Carter Hall
's Book of Ballads, the Abbotsford edition of the Waverley novels
, and other publications. An album containing sketches and studies made by Sibson before his visit to Munich, which passed at his death into the possession of his friend, William Bell Scott
, was purchased at the sale of Bell's collections in 1890 by William James Linton
, who presented it to the British Museum
.
Life
Thr son of Francis and Jane Sibson, and younger brother of Francis SibsonFrancis Sibson
Francis Sibson was a British physician and anatomist.-Early life:He was born at Crosscanonby, near Maryport, Cumberland but grew up and was educated in Edinburgh, apprenticed to John Lizars, surgeon and anatomist, receiving his diploma in 1831...
, he was born in the parish of Cross Canonby, Cumberland
Cumberland
Cumberland is a historic county of North West England, on the border with Scotland, from the 12th century until 1974. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 and now forms part of Cumbria....
, in March 1817. He started work in the counting-house of an uncle in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
. Deciding to become an artist, he came to London in 1838. To study history painting
History painting
History painting is a genre in painting defined by subject matter rather than an artistic style, depicting a moment in a narrative story, rather than a static subject such as a portrait...
, Sibson went to Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
in September 1842 to be taught by Wilhelm von Kaulbach
Wilhelm von Kaulbach
Wilhelm von Kaulbach was a German painter, noted mainly as a muralist, but also as a book illustrator. His murals decorate buildings in Munich.-Education:...
.
Sibson was suffering from tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
, and was compelled by bad health to return home early in 1844. In the autumn he sailed for the Mediterranean, intending to winter in the south, but died at Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
on 28 November 1844.
Works
In 1838 he published a pair of etchings, entitled The Anatomy of Happiness; these were followed by a series of plates of scenes in Charles DickensCharles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
's works, in a style described as "spidery Gothic". He subsequently designed many of the illustrations to Samuel Carter Hall
Samuel Carter Hall
Samuel Carter Hall was an Irish-born Victorian journalist who is best known for his editorship of The Art Journal and for his much-satirised personality.-Early years:Hall was born at the Geneva Barracks in Waterford...
's Book of Ballads, the Abbotsford edition of the Waverley novels
Waverley Novels
The Waverley Novels are a long series of books by Sir Walter Scott. For nearly a century they were among the most popular and widely-read novels in all of Europe. Because he did not publicly acknowledge authorship until 1827, they take their name from Waverley , which was the first...
, and other publications. An album containing sketches and studies made by Sibson before his visit to Munich, which passed at his death into the possession of his friend, William Bell Scott
William Bell Scott
William Bell Scott was a Scottish poet and artist.-Life:The son of Robert Scott , the engraver, and brother of David Scott, the painter, he was born in Edinburgh. While a young man he studied art and assisted his father, and he published verses in the Scottish magazines...
, was purchased at the sale of Bell's collections in 1890 by William James Linton
William James Linton
William James Linton was an English-born American wood engraver, landscape painter, political reformer and author of memoirs, novels, poetry and non-fiction.- Birth and early years :...
, who presented it to the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
.