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Samuel Prout
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Early Days:
Samuel Prout was born at Plymouth, and spent whole summer days, in company with Benjamin Haydon, drawing the quiet cottages, rustic bridges and romantic watermills of the beautiful valleys of Devon. He made a journey through Cornwall to try his hand in furnishing sketches for John Britton's Beauties of England. In 1803 he moved to London, where he stayed until 1812. In London, Prout saw new possibilities, and endeavored to correct and improve his style by studying the works of the rising school of landscape. To earn a living, he painted marine pieces for Palser the print seller, took students, and published drawing books for learners. He was one of the first to use lithography in his artwork. |
Career:
It was not however until about 1818 that Prout discovered his niche. Happening time to make his first visit to the Continent, and to study the quaint streets and market-places of continental cities, he suddenly found himself in a new and enchanting province of art. His eye caught the picturesque features of the architecture, and his hand recorded them with skill. The composition of his drawings was exquisitely natural; their colour exhibited "the truest and happiest association in sun and shade"; the picturesque remnants of ancient architecture were rendered with the happiest breadth and largeness, with the heartiest perception and enjoyment of their time-worn ruggedness; and the solemnity of great cathedrals were brought out with striking effect.
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Having established his reputation with these street scenes, and gaining praise from John Ruskin, he was made 'Painter in Water-Colors in Ordinary' to King George IV in 1829 and afterwards to Queen Victoria.
At the time of his death there was hardly a place in France, Germany, Italy (especially Venice) or the Netherlands where his face had not been seen searching for antique gables and sculptured pieces of stone. He died after a stroke at his home at Denmark Hill, London and was buried at West Norwood Cemetery.
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