John Coney (engraver)
Encyclopedia
John Coney was an English architectural draughtsman and engraver
.
, London. He was apprenticed to an architect, but never followed the profession. He commenced making pencil drawings of the interior of Westminster Abbey
and other Gothic buildings
as early as the age of fifteen; these he sold to dealers, and other casual customers, at low prices.
He died in Camberwell
in 1833.
, drawn and etched by himself. Shortly afterwards he was employed by Harding to draw and engrave the series of exterior and interior views of the Cathedrals and Abbey Churches of England, to illustrate the new edition of William Dugdale
's Monasticon, edited by Sir Henry Ellis
. These plates occupied a great portion of his time for fourteen years, and are executed with consummate skill. In 1829, he began the engravings of 'Ancient Cathedrals, Hôtels de Ville
, and other public buildings in France, Holland, Germany, and Italy;' which were drawn from life by himself. This work was intended to be comprised in twelve parts, but only eight were published. Charles Heathcote Tatham
wrote the descriptions.
In 1831 Coney began a similar series of the Architectural Beauties of Continental Europe, for which H. E. Lloyd wrote the descriptions. This work consists of 28 large plates of remarkable edifices in France, the Low Countries, Germany, and Italy, and 56 vignettes, all drawn and etched by himself. In addition to these laborious undertakings, he executed numerous drawings in pencil, and also in colours, for private commissions; and necessity often compelled him to part with many to picture-dealers and print-sellers. He was employed by Cockerell
, the architect, to engrave a very large 'View of Rome,' and another plate as a companion to it, neither of which was published. His drawings exhibit all the minutest details without the appearance of labour, yet with a neatness that is
truly surprising. A 'View of the Interior of Milan Cathedral' was published after his death for the benefit of his widow.
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
He was born at Ratcliffe HighwayThe Highway
The Highway, formerly known as the Ratcliffe Highway, is a mile-long road in the East End of London, with several historic landmarks nearby. The route dates back to Roman times. In the 19th century it had a very notorious reputation for vice and crime and was the site of the infamous Ratcliff...
, London. He was apprenticed to an architect, but never followed the profession. He commenced making pencil drawings of the interior of Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
and other Gothic buildings
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
as early as the age of fifteen; these he sold to dealers, and other casual customers, at low prices.
He died in Camberwell
Camberwell
Camberwell is a district of south London, England, and forms part of the London Borough of Southwark. It is a built-up inner city district located southeast of Charing Cross. To the west it has a boundary with the London Borough of Lambeth.-Toponymy:...
in 1833.
Works
In 1815, he published his first work, a series of eight views of the exterior and interior of Warwick CastleWarwick Castle
Warwick Castle is a medieval castle in Warwick, the county town of Warwickshire, England. It sits on a bend on the River Avon. The castle was built by William the Conqueror in 1068 within or adjacent to the Anglo-Saxon burh of Warwick. It was used as a fortification until the early 17th century,...
, drawn and etched by himself. Shortly afterwards he was employed by Harding to draw and engrave the series of exterior and interior views of the Cathedrals and Abbey Churches of England, to illustrate the new edition of William Dugdale
William Dugdale
Sir William Dugdale was an English antiquary and herald. As a scholar he was influential in the development of medieval history as an academic subject.-Life:...
's Monasticon, edited by Sir Henry Ellis
Henry Ellis (librarian)
Sir Henry Ellis was an English librarian.He was born in London and educated at the Mercers' School and St John's College, Oxford, where he acted as an assistant at the Bodleian Library...
. These plates occupied a great portion of his time for fourteen years, and are executed with consummate skill. In 1829, he began the engravings of 'Ancient Cathedrals, Hôtels de Ville
Seat of local government
In local government, a city hall, town hall or a municipal building or civic centre, is the chief administrative building of a city...
, and other public buildings in France, Holland, Germany, and Italy;' which were drawn from life by himself. This work was intended to be comprised in twelve parts, but only eight were published. Charles Heathcote Tatham
Charles Heathcote Tatham
Charles Heathcote Tatham , was an English architect of the early nineteenth century.-Early life:...
wrote the descriptions.
In 1831 Coney began a similar series of the Architectural Beauties of Continental Europe, for which H. E. Lloyd wrote the descriptions. This work consists of 28 large plates of remarkable edifices in France, the Low Countries, Germany, and Italy, and 56 vignettes, all drawn and etched by himself. In addition to these laborious undertakings, he executed numerous drawings in pencil, and also in colours, for private commissions; and necessity often compelled him to part with many to picture-dealers and print-sellers. He was employed by Cockerell
Charles Robert Cockerell
Charles Robert Cockerell was an English architect, archaeologist, and writer.-Life:Charles Robert Cockerell was educated at Westminster School from 1802. From the age of sixteen, he trained in the architectural practice of his father, Samuel Pepys Cockerell...
, the architect, to engrave a very large 'View of Rome,' and another plate as a companion to it, neither of which was published. His drawings exhibit all the minutest details without the appearance of labour, yet with a neatness that is
truly surprising. A 'View of the Interior of Milan Cathedral' was published after his death for the benefit of his widow.