John Callcott Horsley

For other uses, see John Horsley (disambiguation).

John Callcott Horsley

St. Valentine’s Day by Horsley

John Callcott Horsley RA (29 January 1817  – 18 October 1903), was an English Academic painter of genre and historical scenes, illustrator, and designer of the first Christmas card. He was a member of the artist's colony in Cranbrook.

Life

Horsley was born in London, the son of William Horsley, the musician, and grand-nephew of Sir Augustus Callcott. His sister Mary Elizabeth Horsley wed the famous British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1836.

Horsley studied painting in the Royal Academy schools, and in 1836 exhibited "The Pride of the Village" (Vernon Gallery) at the Royal Academy. This was followed by numerous genre pictures at subsequent exhibitions up to 1893, the best known of these being "Malvolio", "L'Allegro and il Penseroso" (painted for the Prince Consort), "Le Jour des Morts" and "A Scene from Don Quixote".

In 1843 his cartoon (preliminary drawing) of "St Augustine Preaching" won a prize in the competition to provide interior decorations for Westminster Hall, London, and in 1844 he was selected as one of the six painters commissioned to execute frescoes for the Houses of Parliament - his "Religion" (1845) being put in the House of Lords. He also painted "Henry V assuming the Crown" and "Satan touched by Ithuriel's Spear while whispering evil dreams to Eve". In 1864 he became a Royal Academician (RA), and in 1882 was elected treasurer, a post which he held until 1897, when he resigned and became a "retired Academician".

The world's first Christmas card

Horsley designed the first ever Christmas card, commissioned by Henry Cole. It caused some controversy because it depicted a small child drinking wine. He also designed the Horsley envelope, a pre-paid envelope that was the precursor to the postage stamp.

Horsley had much to do with organizing the winter exhibitions of "Old Masters" at Burlington House after 1870. When, during the 1880s, the example of the French Salon began to affect the Academy exhibitors, and paintings of the nude became the fashion, he protested against the innovation, and his attitude caused Punch to give him the sobriquet of "Mr J. C(lothes) Horsley" (a pun on clothes horse).

In 1856 Horsley was photographed at "The Photographed Institute" by Robert Howlett, as part of a series of portraits of "fine artists". The picture was among a group exhibited at the Art Treasures Exhibition in Manchester in 1857.

Horsley was a member of the London-based Etching Club contributing illustrations to editions of "The Deserted Village" (Oliver Goldsmith and "Songs of Shakespeare". He also illustrated a number of other books including "Little Princes" by Eliza Slater (London: Henry G. Bohn, 1890).

Horsley's son, Sir Victor Horsley (born 1857), became famous as a surgeon and neuropathologist, and a prominent supporter of the cause of experimental research.

See also

• Greeting card

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "John Callcott Horsley". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/John_Callcott_Horsley. 

Further reading

• Horsley, J. C. Recollections of a Royal Academician (London: J. Murray, 1903).

External links

• J C Horsley online (ArtCyclopedia)
• J C Horsley biography and paintings(thesussexweald.org)
• J C Horsley paintings (Art Renewal Center Museum)
• J C Horsley ("Find A Grave")
• Works by J C Horsley (Royal Academy of Arts)
• Works by J C Horsley (V & A, London)
• Biography and Christmas card history
• Wedding rings (1883 painting)
• Showing a preference (1860 painting)
• The unwilling salute (Sotheby's)
• The Contrast: Youth and Age (1839 painting)