Armitage

Armitage, EDWARD, an English historical and mural painter, was born in London, May 20, 1817, and studied in Paris, where in 1842 he exhibited his first independent work. In the following year his Landing of Cæsar gained a prize of £300 in London; and in 1845 and 1847 he carried off prizes of £200 and £500. After a year's study at Rome, he visited the Crimea during the war, and on his return produced two spirited battle-pieces. He was made an associate in 1867, and in 1872 a fellow of the Royal Academy, to which, in 1875, he was appointed lecturer on painting. Most of his contributions to the Academy exhibitions were scriptural subjects; all were marked by powerful composition and by a breadth and boldness that largely atone for a want of warmth in the colouring. His mural paintings include noble figures of Christ and the twelve apostles, for a Roman Catholic church in London. He died 26th May 1896. See a folio of his Pictures and Drawings (1898).