Charles Landseer

Charles Landseer, (12 August 1799 – 22 July 1879) was an English painter who specialised in history painting.

Life

He was born in London on 12 August 1799, and in 1816 he entered the Royal Academy Schools where he was taught by Henry Fuseli.

In 1823 he accompanied Sir Charles Stuart de Rothesay on a diplomatic mission to Portugal and Brazil. Many of the drawings he made on the journey were shown at the British Institution in 1828.

He became an associate in of the Royal Academy in 1837, and a full academician in 1845. In 1851, he was appointed Keeper of the Royal Academy, a post requiring him to teach in the "Antique School". He remained in the position until 1873.

Most of his pictures were of subjects from British history, or from literature. He paid close attention to the historical accuracy of the accessories and details in his paintings. The Pillaging of a Jew's House in the Reign of Richard I (1839, Tate Gallery)

He died in London on 22 July 1879 He left 10,000 guineas to the Royal Academy to fund scholarships.

Gallery