The story of Richard Wilson (1713-1782) is the story of a disappointed
man. Born at Pinegas, Montgomeryshire, the son of the parson of that
place, Wilson’s early taste for drawing attracted the attention of Sir
George Wynne, by whom he was introduced to one Wright, a portrait painter
in London. In 1749 he visited Italy, and whilst waiting for an interview
with the landscape painter Zuccarelli he is said to have sketched the
view through the open window. The Italian advised the Englishman to
devote himself henceforth to landscapes, and Wilson followed his advice.
After six years’ stay in Italy, during which period he became imbued with
the beauties of that country, Wilson returned to England in 1755, and
found Zuccarelli worshiped, whilst he himself was neglected. His “Niobe,”
one version of which is in the National Gallery, was exhibited with
the Society of Artists’ Collection, in Spring Gardens, 1760, and made
a great impression, but, in general, his pictures, infinitely superior
to the mere decorations of the Italian, were criticised, and compared
unfavorably with those of Zuccarelli, and it was not till long after
Wilson’s death that he was thoroughly appreciated. He was often compelled
to sell his pictures to pawnbrokers, who, so it is said, could not sell
them again. Wilson was one of the original thirty-six members of the
Royal Academy, and in 1776 applied for and obtained the post of Librarian
to that body, the small salary helping the struggling man to live. The
last years of his life were brightened by better fortune. A brother left
him a legacy, and in 1780 Wilson retired to a pleasant home at Llanberis,
Carnarvon, where he died two years later. Mr. Redgrave says of him:
“There is this praise due to our countryman—that our landscape art, which
had heretofore been derived from the meaner school of Holland, following
his great example, looked thenceforth to Italy for its inspiration;
that he proved the power of native art to compete on this ground also
with the art of the foreigner, and prepared the way for the coming men,
who, embracing Nature as their mistress, were prepared to leave all and
follow her.” Wilson frequently repeated his more successful pictures.
“The Ruins of the Villa of Mæcenas, at Tivoli” (National Gallery), was
painted five times by him. In the same gallery are “The Destruction of
Niobe’s Children,” “A Landscape with Figures,” three “Views in Italy,”
“Lake Avernus with the Bay of Naples in the Distance,” etc. In the Duke
of Westminster’s collection are “Apollo and the Seasons” and “The river
Dee.” Wilson, like many another man of genius, lived before his time, and
was forced one day to ask Barry, the Royal Academician, if he knew any
one mad enough to employ a landscape painter, and if so, whether he would
recommend him.