Sir David Wilkie

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Wilkie, Sir David (b Cults, nr. Cupar, Fife, 18 Nov. 1785; d at sea, off Malta, 1 June 1841). Scottish painter. He trained in Edinburgh and then in 1805 moved to London, where he studied briefly at the Royal Academy Schools. His Village Politicians (priv. coll.) was the hit of the RA exhibition of 1806 and he established himself as the most popular genre painter of the day. He was strongly influenced in technique and subject matter by 17th-century Netherlandish artists such as Ostade and Teniers, and the public loved the wealth of lively and often humorous incident in his paintings. His Chelsea Pensioners Reading the Gazette of the Battle of Waterloo (1822, Wellington Mus., London), commissioned by the Duke of Wellington, was so popular when shown at the Royal Academy that a rail had to be erected in front of it to protect it from the crowds (a precaution not repeated until 1858, with Frith's Derby Day). In 1825–8 Wilkie travelled abroad for reasons of health and his style changed radically under the influence particularly of Spanish painting, becoming grander in subject matter and broader in touch. The change was regretted by many of his contemporaries. In 1840 he went to the Holy Land to research material for his biblical paintings and on the return journey died at sea; his friend Turner commemorated him in Peace: Burial at Sea (1842, Tate, London).

Wilkie's success did much to establish the popularity of anecdotal painting in Britain and many Victorian artists were influenced by him. The esteem in which he was held was possible only in an age that looked first to the ‘story’ of a painting and the moral lesson it contained. In his Last Judgement (1853, Tate) John Martin portrayed Wilkie alongside some of the world's greatest artists—Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and so on—and many contemporaries would have agreed that he belonged in such company.

Wilkie, Sir David (1785–1841). Scottish painter. He trained in Edinburgh and then in 1805 moved to London, where he studied briefly at the Royal Academy Schools. His Village Politicians (priv. coll.) was the hit of the RA exhibition of 1806 and he established himself as the most popular genre painter of the day. He was strongly influenced in technique and subject matter by 17th-century Netherlandish artists such as Ostade and Teniers, and the public loved the wealth of lively and often humorous incident in his paintings. His Chelsea Pensioners Reading the Gazette of the Battle of Waterloo (1822, Wellington Mus., London, 1822), commissioned by the Duke of Wellington, was so popular when shown at the Royal Academy that a rail had to be erected in front of it to protect it from the crowds. In 1825–8 Wilkie travelled abroad for reasons of health and his style changed radically under the influence particularly of Spanish painting, becoming grander in subject matter and broader in touch. The change was regretted by many of his contemporaries. In 1840 he went to the Holy Land to research material for his biblical paintings and on the return journey died at sea; his friend Turner commemorated him in Peace: Burial at Sea (1842, Tate, London). Wilkie's success did much to establish the popularity of anecdotal painting in England and many Victorian artists were influenced by him.

Wilkie, Sir David (1785–1841). Scottish painter renowned for his lively representations of the commonplace in Scottish life. His first important work, now in the National Gallery of Scotland, was Pitlessie Fair (1804), while The Village Politicians (Scone palace) confirmed his reputation when it was submitted to the Royal Academy in 1806. Wilkie had many important patrons, including the duke of Wellington and the prince regent, who commissioned The Penny Wedding in 1818. He was painter-in-ordinary to three monarchs and knighted in 1836. Between 1825 and 1828, Wilkie was in Europe and his later works, showing Italian and Spanish influences, were less popular. In 1840 he visited the Holy Land to paint authentic biblical scenes. On the return journey he died at sea, an event commemerated by Turner in Peace: Burial at Sea (Tate Gallery).

June Cochrane

Sir David Wilkie 1785-1841, Scottish genre painter. He studied in Edinburgh and at the Royal Academy and won early popularity with his admirable little scenes of everyday life. Anecdotal painting was established in England with Wilkie's success. After traveling on the Continent, he turned to portraiture and historical painting. He became painter-in-ordinary to George IV and was knighted in 1836. Well-known examples of his work, including The Blind Fiddler, The Village Festival, and Blind Man's Bluff, are in the National Gallery and in the Tate Gallery, London.

Wilkie, Sir David (1785–1841). Scottish painter renowned for his lively representations of the commonplace in Scottish life. His first important work was Pitlessie Fair (1804), while The Village Politicians confirmed his reputation when it was submitted to the Royal Academy in 1806. He was painter‐in‐ordinary to three monarchs and knighted in 1836.