GILBERT, Sir JOHN (1817-97). An English historical painter, illustrator, and engraver. He was born at Blackheath, July 21, 1817. He learned every technique possible for art expres sion—oils, water-color, fresco, wood and stone engraving, etching, carving, and drawing—and was in the main self-taught. Gilbert gave most of his attention to illustration, in 1838 begin ning with illustrations of a book of nursery rhymes. These were followed by illustrations for the editions of the poets, Cowper (1841), Pope, Burns, and others included in Rutledge's British Poets (1853) ; Evangeline (1856) ; Long fellow's Poems (1858) ; Scott (1857) ; Words worth (1859) ; Milton (1864). His chief work was 829 illustrations for Howard Staunton's edi tion of Shakespeare (1856), the proofs of which are in the collections of the British Museum.
In 1843 he sent a few drawings to Punch, de signing the cover for that year; but for thirty years, following the establishment of the Illus trated London News, in 1842, he was a constant contributor; also to the London Journal. In
1852 he was elected an associate of the Water Color Society, and a full member in 1854. He initiated the exhibitions of this society in 1862 by hanging 270 of his own drawings and sketches, which led to a regular winter exhibition. Gilbert was made president of the society in 1871, on which occasion he was knighted. In 1893 he presented to the nation a collection of his works, which were divided among the galleries in Lon don, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester. To the Royal Academy he presented his sketch books. His life was uneventful; his industry was marvelous, as the number of his drawings—thirty thousand—testifies. He died at Blackheath, Oc tober 5, 1897. He was a great draughtsman and illustrator rather than a painter, although he was a good colorist, with a fondness for red; yet lie often made his shadows too black. Consult: Spielman, "Sir John Gilbert," in the Magazine of Art (London, 1898) ; Atkinson, English Artists of the Present Day (ib., 1872).