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| Sir Edwin Landseer |
| 1802-1873 |
| European Artist |
| Landseer was born in London, the son of the engraver, was trained by his father to sketch animals from life. He began exhibiting at the Royal Academy when only 13; the same year (1815) he received a silver medal from the Society of Arts for his drawing of a hunter. Success came easily and early. By the age of 16 he was a constant and active exhibitor at the RA, already patronized by leading collectors and talked about as a rising star. In 1824, Landseer went to Scotland for the first time to visit Sir Walter Scott. He fell in love with the Highlands, and since then every year he used to return there for inspiration, drawing, hunting, and rest. The strain of keeping up his career, of satisfying his patrons, and of maintaining his social position cost Landseer more effort than he cared to admit. In May 1840, at the height of his powers and reputation, he suffered a severe nervous breakdown. Landseer was the most famous English artist of his generation, and he was mourned throughout the nation. |
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