Richard Morrell Staigg
Encyclopedia
Richard Morrell Staigg (7 September 1817 Leeds, England - 11 October 1881 Newport, Rhode Island
) was a portrait
painter
.
's office, and he subsequently received a few weeks' instruction in portrait painting. In 1831 he came to the United States with his father, and four years later he settled with the family in Newport. In his artistic efforts he met with encouragement and advice from Washington Allston
, and soon devoted himself entirely to miniature painting.
He was a regular exhibitor at the National Academy of Design
, New York City
, of which he was elected an associate in 1856, and an academician in 1861. He visited Europe 1867-1869, and again 1872-1874. The last twenty years of his life were devoted to painting life-size portraits in oil, as well as genre pieces and landscapes.
, Daniel Webster
, William H. Prescott
, and others. Some of his miniatures were exhibited at the Royal Academy
, and received warm praise. Among his works in oil are portraits of himself, of Russell Sturgis
and George H. Calvert, and the “Crossing Sweeper,” “The Sailor's Grave” (1862), and “Cat's Cradle” (1863).
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
) was a portrait
Portrait
thumb|250px|right|Portrait of [[Thomas Jefferson]] by [[Rembrandt Peale]], 1805. [[New-York Historical Society]].A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness,...
painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
.
Biography
When he was about thirteen years of age he was placed in an architectArchitect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
's office, and he subsequently received a few weeks' instruction in portrait painting. In 1831 he came to the United States with his father, and four years later he settled with the family in Newport. In his artistic efforts he met with encouragement and advice from Washington Allston
Washington Allston
Washington Allston was an American painter and poet, born in Waccamaw Parish, South Carolina. Allston pioneered America's Romantic movement of landscape painting...
, and soon devoted himself entirely to miniature painting.
He was a regular exhibitor at the National Academy of Design
National Academy of Design
The National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, founded in New York City as the National Academy of Design – known simply as the "National Academy" – is an honorary association of American artists founded in 1825 by Samuel F. B. Morse, Asher B. Durand, Thomas Cole, Martin E...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, of which he was elected an associate in 1856, and an academician in 1861. He visited Europe 1867-1869, and again 1872-1874. The last twenty years of his life were devoted to painting life-size portraits in oil, as well as genre pieces and landscapes.
Works
Among his portraits are those of Washington Allston, Edward EverettEdward Everett
Edward Everett was an American politician and educator from Massachusetts. Everett, a Whig, served as U.S. Representative, and U.S. Senator, the 15th Governor of Massachusetts, Minister to Great Britain, and United States Secretary of State...
, Daniel Webster
Daniel Webster
Daniel Webster was a leading American statesman and senator from Massachusetts during the period leading up to the Civil War. He first rose to regional prominence through his defense of New England shipping interests...
, William H. Prescott
William H. Prescott
William Hickling Prescott was an American historian and Hispanist, who is widely recognized by historiographers to have been the first American scientific historian...
, and others. Some of his miniatures were 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...
, and received warm praise. Among his works in oil are portraits of himself, of Russell Sturgis
Russell Sturgis
Russell Sturgis was an American architect and art criticof the 19th and early 20th centuries. He was one of the founders of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1870.-Early life and marriage:...
and George H. Calvert, and the “Crossing Sweeper,” “The Sailor's Grave” (1862), and “Cat's Cradle” (1863).