DYCE, WILLIAM, B.A., a distinguished painter, was b. at Aberdeen in 1806. He was educated at the university there, and at the age of 16 took the degree of master of arts. After acquiring the rudiments of his art-education he went to-Rome, where he studied for some years. His tendency at first was very strongly, and continued so under certain modifications, towards early Italian, or pre-Raphaelite art, and his pro ductions attracted the marked attention of Overbeck, the head of the modern German school. On his return to this country, he settled in Edinburgh, where, besides painting portraits, he contributed largely to the exhibitions. The first picture he exhibited in Edinburgh was in the Perugino style, and though evincing great power, was at that period, 1829, but little felt or appreciated; his "Puck," however, exhibited at the same time, was very successful, and most of his after-contributions to the exhibitions of the royal Scottish academy, of which he was a member, were deservedly popular, particu larly his picture of " Francesca da Rimini," exhibited in 1837. After this he went to London, having been nominated to the head-mastership of the new school of design at Somerset house, an office which he obtained on account of his general acquirements and knowledge of art, and which he held for three years. Soon after this he was appointed
professor of painting in the London university. He distinguished himself at the West minster competition by his frescos, and in consequence was one of the artists selected to decorate the palace of Westminster and the house of lords, and at Osborne house several works in fresco have been executed by him. D. was elected an associate of the royal academy in 1844, and academician in 1848. The following are some of the works he exhibited in the royal academy: " King Joash Shooting the Arrow of Deliverance ;" " Madonna and Child" (1846); a "Meeting of Jacob and Rachel " (1850; " Christabel" (1855); " The Good Shepherd" (1856); "Titian Preparing to make his Essay in Color ing ;" "Neptune Assigning to Britannia the Empire of the Sea ;" a study for a fresco at Osborne (1857); " St. John Leading Home his Adopted Mother ;" " The Man of Sorrows" (1860); and " George Herbert at Bemerton" (1861). He died in 1864.