Henry Perronet Briggs
Encyclopedia
Henry Perronet Briggs was an English painter of portraits and historical scenes.
, the son of a post office official. His cousin was Amelia Opie
(née Alderson), the wife of artist John Opie
(whose portrait was later painted by Briggs). While still at school at Epping
he sent two engravings to the "Gentleman's Magazine" and in 1811 entered as a student at the Royal Academy
, London
, where he began to exhibit in 1814. From that time onwards until his death he was a constant exhibitor at the annual exhibitions of the Academy, as well as the British Institution
, his paintings being for the most part historical in subject. After his election as a Royal Academician (RA) in 1832 he devoted his attention almost exclusively to portraiture.
Briggs died, of Tuberculosis
in London on 18 January 1844. The lease to his home in Bruton Street, Berkeley Square
was subsequently purchased by portrait painter Thomas Henry Illidge
.
Jacob Bell
, founder of the Pharmaceutical Society
, was a cousin of Briggs, and took painting lessons from the artist as a child. Bell commissioned several art-works and it was his connections that enabled Briggs to paint the portraits of pharmacist John Bell (of John Bell & Co.) and William Allen
, the Society’s first President. Briggs also designed the society's membership certificate. Mention must also be made of Thomas Francis Dicksee
who was a notable pupil of the artist.
, London - 'First Conference between the Spaniards and Peruvians, 1531,' and 'Juliet and her Nurse.' His large painting of 'George III presenting the Sword to Lord Howe on board the Queen Charlotte, 1794,' was initially purchased by the British Institution
, presented to Greenwich Hospital, and is now in the National Maritime Museum
. Among the more successful of the various Shakespearean scenes painted by him may be mentioned his 'Othello relating his adventures to Desdemona.' Of his numerous portraits, the best perhaps was that of Lord Eldon.
William Thackeray regarded Briggs as "out and out the best portrait-painter of the set" though the Dictionary of National Biography
entry (1886), was more circumspect, commenting that "the pictures painted by Briggs, though not without merits of construction, cannot be said to belong to the highest class of art".
Life and work
Briggs was born at Walworth, County DurhamWalworth, County Durham
Walworth is a central small village with outlying farmsteads, which together constitute a scattered village in the borough of Darlington and the ceremonial county of County Durham, England. It is a civil parish which does not have a church. It is situated to the north west of Darlington. The...
, the son of a post office official. His cousin was Amelia Opie
Amelia Opie
Amelia Opie, née Alderson , was an English author who published numerous novels in the Romantic Period of the early 19th century, through 1828.-Life and work:...
(née Alderson), the wife of artist John Opie
John Opie
John Opie was an English historical and portrait painter. He painted many great men and women of his day, most notably in the artistic and literary professions.-Life and work:...
(whose portrait was later painted by Briggs). While still at school at Epping
Epping
Epping is a small market town and civil parish in the Epping Forest district of the County of Essex, England. It is located north-east of Loughton, south of Harlow and north-west of Brentwood....
he sent two engravings to the "Gentleman's Magazine" and in 1811 entered as a student 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...
, 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...
, where he began to exhibit in 1814. From that time onwards until his death he was a constant exhibitor at the annual exhibitions of the Academy, as well as the British Institution
British Institution
The British Institution was a private 19th-century society in London formed to exhibit the works of living and dead artists; it was also known as the Pall Mall Picture Galleries or the British Gallery...
, his paintings being for the most part historical in subject. After his election as a Royal Academician (RA) in 1832 he devoted his attention almost exclusively to portraiture.
Briggs died, of 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...
in London on 18 January 1844. The lease to his home in Bruton Street, Berkeley Square
Berkeley Square
Berkeley Square is a town square in the West End of London, England, in the City of Westminster. It was originally laid out in the mid 18th century by architect William Kent...
was subsequently purchased by portrait painter Thomas Henry Illidge
Thomas Henry Illidge
-Life and work:Illidge was born in Birmingham on 26 September 1799, belonging to a family resident near Nantwich, Cheshire. Illidge's father moved to Manchester, and, dying young, left a young family ill-provided for. Illidge was educated in Manchester, and taught drawing. He was subsequently the...
.
Jacob Bell
Jacob Bell
Jacob Bell was a British pharmaceutical chemist who worked to reform the profession. He served as a Liberal Member of Parliament for St Albans from 1850 to 1852.- Career :...
, founder of the Pharmaceutical Society
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain was formerly the statutory regulatory and professional body for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in England, Scotland and Wales...
, was a cousin of Briggs, and took painting lessons from the artist as a child. Bell commissioned several art-works and it was his connections that enabled Briggs to paint the portraits of pharmacist John Bell (of John Bell & Co.) and William Allen
William Allen (Quaker)
William Allen FRS, FLS was an English scientist and philanthropist who opposed slavery and engaged in schemes of social and penal improvement in early nineteenth century England.-Early life:...
, the Society’s first President. Briggs also designed the society's membership certificate. Mention must also be made of Thomas Francis Dicksee
Thomas Francis Dicksee
Thomas Francis Dicksee was an English painter born in London. He was a portraitist and painter of historical, genre subjects - often from Shakespeare - who was the pupil of H. P. Briggs. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1841 until the year of his death...
who was a notable pupil of the artist.
Work
Two of Briggs' historical pictures, first exhibited at the Academy in 1826 and 1827, are now in the Tate galleryTate Gallery
The Tate is an institution that houses the United Kingdom's national collection of British Art, and International Modern and Contemporary Art...
, London - 'First Conference between the Spaniards and Peruvians, 1531,' and 'Juliet and her Nurse.' His large painting of 'George III presenting the Sword to Lord Howe on board the Queen Charlotte, 1794,' was initially purchased by the British Institution
British Institution
The British Institution was a private 19th-century society in London formed to exhibit the works of living and dead artists; it was also known as the Pall Mall Picture Galleries or the British Gallery...
, presented to Greenwich Hospital, and is now in the National Maritime Museum
National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England is the leading maritime museum of the United Kingdom and may be the largest museum of its kind in the world. The historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, it also incorporates the Royal Observatory, Greenwich,...
. Among the more successful of the various Shakespearean scenes painted by him may be mentioned his 'Othello relating his adventures to Desdemona.' Of his numerous portraits, the best perhaps was that of Lord Eldon.
William Thackeray regarded Briggs as "out and out the best portrait-painter of the set" though the Dictionary of National Biography
Dictionary of National Biography
The Dictionary of National Biography is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published from 1885...
entry (1886), was more circumspect, commenting that "the pictures painted by Briggs, though not without merits of construction, cannot be said to belong to the highest class of art".
External links
- H P Briggs online (ArtCyclopedia)
- A Scene from 'The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom' (1829 oil on panel - Christie's)