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BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF EMINENT PERSONS. 



JAMES NORTHCOTE, ESO., RA. 



James Northcote, one of the most suc- 

 cessful artists of our da_ys, was descended 

 from the ancient and respectable family 

 of the Northcotes, whose settlement in 

 Devonshii-e may be traced back to the 

 Conquest, and probably to an anterior 

 period. Of this familj', which has given 

 several high sheriflfs to the county, and 

 many representatives for it in parlia- 

 ment, is also the present Sir Stafford 

 Henry Noi-thcote, Bart., whose ances- 

 tor, .John Northcote, Esq., of Hayne, 

 in the county of Devon, was elevated to 

 that dignit3' on the 16th July, 1641. 



The subject of this sketch v.as the son 

 of an eminent watch-maker, at Ply- 

 mouth, where he was born in the j'ear 

 1746. He was designed for his father's 

 profession ; but having, as it seemed, a 

 natural predisposition for the fine arts, 

 and being flattered by praises bestowed 

 on his early efforts, he determined to 

 abandon the mechanical occupation of 

 watch-making, and to devote himself 

 entireh' to his favourite pursuits, draw- 

 ing and painting. In these he evinced 

 so much ardour and assiduity, that Dr. 

 kludge, a physician, of Plymouth, re- 

 commended him, as a pupil, to Sir 

 Joshua Reynolds. He accordingly came 

 to London in 177 li and placed himself 

 under the care and tuition of his country- 

 man. Sir .Joshua, who was then in the 

 zenith of his fame. With that great 

 man he remained five years ; living with 

 him in all the familiarity of friendship, 

 receiving from him the utmost assist- 

 ance towards perfecting himself in the 

 art of painting, and enjoying the advan- 

 tage of being introduced to the most 

 distinguished characters of the age. 



In 177c, ]VIr. Northcote quitted Sir 

 Joshua, and commenced painting on his 

 own account. In the summer of 1777, 

 following the advice and example of hi^ 

 gi'eat master, he set out for Italy, at that 



time the unrivalled seat of the fine arts. 

 He fixed himself at Rome for nearly 

 three years — visited every part of the 

 country — and laid up a rich store of 

 experience and information for future 

 use. 



While in Italy, Mr. Northcote also 

 formed an extensive acquaintance with 

 the first artists of the country — enjoyed 

 universal respect — and had the honour 

 of being elected a member of the ancient 

 Etruscan Academy at Castoni, of the 

 Academy del Forti at Rome, and of the 

 Imperial Academy at Florence. "\\''hile 

 at Florence he painted a portrait of 

 himself for the academy — a compliment 

 always expected from a new member. 



In 1780, Mr. Northcote returned to 

 England ; and, that he might have an 

 opportunity of observing all that could 

 be seen of the eminent masters of the 

 Flemish school, he took Flanders in his 

 way. Thus, in the enjoyment of every 

 advanlr.ge that c^'uld constitute him a 

 master in his profession, he re-entered 

 upon his studies in the metropolis, and 

 soon obtained the most distinguished 

 reputation in history as well as in por- 

 trait. 



In 1786, he was chosen a member of 

 the Royal Academy ; for a period of 

 thirty years his productions may be said 

 to have borne a conspicuous part in the 

 exhibitions at Somerset House ; and, 

 even till within the last year of his life, 

 a season rarely elapsed at the British 

 Institution, or the Gallerj' of the Bri- 

 tish Artists, without presenting one or 

 more efforts of his pencil. It is asto- 

 nishing with what firmness he painted, 

 tothelast; but, latterly, his eye, keen 

 as it was, and brilliant with the light of 

 mind, failed in its nice distinction, ap- 

 propriation, and harmony of colour. 



One of the most excellent pictures 

 Mr. Northcote ever painted, was ex- 

 hibited the verv year that he Avas ad- 



