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Augustus Wall Callcott was a gifted landscape painter of the 19th century who stands unjustifiably in the shadow of his more famous contemporary and artist colleague J.M.W. Turner. Although leading art critics of the time even called Callcott an artistic nothingness, he could justifiably look back on a long, steady and quite respectable career. Callcott often won much higher awards than the highly acclaimed gymnast. His artist friends, patrons and connoisseurs of the early nineteenth century knew of the importance of his painting. He was highly valued and admired for his knowledge, judgement and good taste. The artistic value of his works was acknowledged even by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Their honour went so far that they knighted him in 1837 and also appointed him keeper of the royal collection for the rest of his life.
Callcott's parental home was a great part of his artistic influence. In his own words, he explained that the intellectual environment of his childhood was decisive for his professional orientation: "In every room of the house, prints by the best masters could be found ... copies of the Dutch and Flemish masters. "This artistic influence was certainly enormous, since Callcott's older brother also had a creative activity. He was the well-known composer and organist John Wall Callcott.
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At the age of 19, Augustus Wall Callcott enrolled at the Royal Academy to study art and at the same time began taking lessons in the studio of the portraitist John Hoppner. Early successes were visible. The young Callcott achieved the deserved attention of rich patrons with a series of landscape paintings such as "The Watermill". Afterwards his success grew rapidly. He was elected the first member of the Royal Academy in 1806 and remained an important member for several years.
After almost fifty years as a bachelor, he married the author Callcott. His new wedding wife was the writer Maria Graham. In her he found an equal woman with the same intellectual interests. Together they were able to support each other in their respective arts, and in this way they expanded their circle of acquaintances and friendship with a variety of leaders. The couple also shared a similar professional destiny, since they were both not unsuccessful, but still did not receive the good criticism that their achievements deserved. Even after Augustus Wall Callcott's death, the art world neglected his work. It is certain, however, that he made a valuable contribution to 19th century British culture with his paintings.
Augustus Wall Callcott was a gifted landscape painter of the 19th century who stands unjustifiably in the shadow of his more famous contemporary and artist colleague J.M.W. Turner. Although leading art critics of the time even called Callcott an artistic nothingness, he could justifiably look back on a long, steady and quite respectable career. Callcott often won much higher awards than the highly acclaimed gymnast. His artist friends, patrons and connoisseurs of the early nineteenth century knew of the importance of his painting. He was highly valued and admired for his knowledge, judgement and good taste. The artistic value of his works was acknowledged even by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Their honour went so far that they knighted him in 1837 and also appointed him keeper of the royal collection for the rest of his life.
Callcott's parental home was a great part of his artistic influence. In his own words, he explained that the intellectual environment of his childhood was decisive for his professional orientation: "In every room of the house, prints by the best masters could be found ... copies of the Dutch and Flemish masters. "This artistic influence was certainly enormous, since Callcott's older brother also had a creative activity. He was the well-known composer and organist John Wall Callcott.
Br/>
At the age of 19, Augustus Wall Callcott enrolled at the Royal Academy to study art and at the same time began taking lessons in the studio of the portraitist John Hoppner. Early successes were visible. The young Callcott achieved the deserved attention of rich patrons with a series of landscape paintings such as "The Watermill". Afterwards his success grew rapidly. He was elected the first member of the Royal Academy in 1806 and remained an important member for several years.
After almost fifty years as a bachelor, he married the author Callcott. His new wedding wife was the writer Maria Graham. In her he found an equal woman with the same intellectual interests. Together they were able to support each other in their respective arts, and in this way they expanded their circle of acquaintances and friendship with a variety of leaders. The couple also shared a similar professional destiny, since they were both not unsuccessful, but still did not receive the good criticism that their achievements deserved. Even after Augustus Wall Callcott's death, the art world neglected his work. It is certain, however, that he made a valuable contribution to 19th century British culture with his paintings.