This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 edition. Excerpt: ... 1 David Wilkie (1785-1841), elected A.R.A. in 1809, and R.A. in 18 n, appointed Painter in Ordinary to the King in 1830, and knighted in 1836. His earlier works, "The Blind Fiddler," the "Rent Day," the "Chelsea Pensioners," &c., rendered him famous, but a residence in Italy and Spain changed his style, and his later work is loose and mannered. of no use except for a surgeon, Opie rewarded them with sober praise, while Fuseli swore that he learnt by looking at them. Wilkie, on his first meeting with Haydon, asked questions about these studies which led to discussion, disagreement, dinner at the same table, and a lifelong friendship. There were other promising students at the Academy this term, Mulready,1 Collins,2 and Hilton,8 but Haydon's chief intimates were Jackson and Wilkie, the three criticising each other's work, passing on useful "tips" about colour and glazing, and, when other subjects failed, abusing the Academy and all its works. Jackson did Haydon good service by taking him to some of the private galleries in London, Mr. Angerstein's, Lord Carlisle's, and Lord Stafford's, and infecting him with some of his own enthusiasm for the glories of Venetian colouring. The good-natured little Yorkshireman also talked to his patron of his two clever friends, and Lord Mulgrave declared that he would give Haydon a commission as soon as he began to paint. Wilkie's picture, "The Village Politicians," was the sensation of the Academy Exhibition of 1806, though so great was his diffidence that he had only yielded to his friends' persuasions at the eleventh hour, and sent in his work. The effect produced by that youthful effort is a matter of history. The Academicians, forgetting their intrigues and jealousies, hung the picture in the place of...