Henry Fuseli
Henry Fuseli was born on the 7th of February 1741 in Zürich. He grew up as the second child among eighteen siblings. His father Johann Caspar Füssli worked as a painter and wrote biographies of Swiss artists. The elder Füssli intended for his son to enter the church. Henry attended the Caroline college of Zürich where he received a classical education. One of his schoolmates there was Johann Kaspar Lavater. They became close friends during their studies. After taking orders in 1761, Fuseli faced severe consequences. He helped Lavater expose an unjust magistrate whose powerful family sought revenge. Authorities forced him to leave Switzerland immediately. He traveled through Germany before arriving in England in 1765. For some time he supported himself by writing miscellaneous articles.
In 1770, Fuseli made an art pilgrimage to Italy. He remained there until 1778, spending nine years abroad. During this period he changed his name from Füssli to the more Italian-sounding Fuseli. In Rome he moved in circles with Scottish artist Alexander Runciman. Swedish sculptor Tobias Sergel also frequented these same social gatherings. Fuseli studied Michelangelo's works intensely while living in Rome. He liked to contemplate marble statues of the Monte Cavallo in the evening. Lightning often illuminated those ancient figures against a murky sky. This exposure shaped his artistic vision for decades to come. He returned to Britain in early 1779 and visited Zürich on the way home.
His earliest painting represented Joseph Interpreting the Dreams of the Baker and Butler. The first work to excite particular attention was The Nightmare. He exhibited that painting in 1782 at the Royal Academy. Fuseli painted several versions of this specific composition over time. Themes seen in The Nightmare included horror, dark magic and sexuality. These elements echoed in his 1796 painting Night-Hag visiting the Lapland Witches. Critics noted how he pitched everything on an ideal scale. A certain amount of exaggeration seemed necessary in higher branches of historical painting. His figures were full of life and earnestness. They followed an object in view with intense focus.
In 1788, Fuseli married Sophia Rawlins who had originally been one of his models. He soon after became an associate of the Royal Academy. In 1790, he became a full academician presenting Thor Battering the Midgard Serpent as his diploma work. In 1799, Fuseli was appointed professor of painting to the Academy. Four years later he was chosen as Keeper and resigned his professorship. He resumed it in 1810 continuing to hold both offices until his death. Henry Thomson succeeded him as keeper. His principal written work was a series of twelve lectures delivered to the Royal Academy. These lectures began in 1801 and covered various aspects of art theory.
In 1799, Fuseli exhibited a series of paintings from subjects furnished by John Milton. There were 47 Milton paintings completed at intervals over nine years. The exhibition proved a commercial failure and closed in 1800. Many of them were very large works intended for a gallery comparable to Boydell's Shakespeare gallery. In 1805 he brought out an edition of Matthew Pilkington's Lives of the Painters. That publication did little for his reputation. Despite this financial setback he continued producing ambitious projects. Antonio Canova admired his works when visiting England in 1817. Canova caused him to be elected a member of the first class in the Accademia di San Luca upon returning to Rome.
Though not noted as a colourist, Fuseli was described as a master of light and shadow. He distributed colours across his palette randomly rather than methodically. He often used pigments in the form of a dry powder. This substance combined hastily on the end of his brush with oil or turpentine. Gold size sometimes entered the mixture regardless of quantity. Accident determined the general effect of each composition. This recklessness may perhaps be explained by the fact that he did not paint in oil until age 25. His sketches numbered about 800 and frequently surpassed his paintings. He deliberately exaggerated proportions of the human body in many drawings.
His pupils included David Wilkie, Benjamin Haydon, William Etty, and Edwin Landseer. William Blake was also inspired by his work and style. Fuseli influenced the art of Fortunato Duranti significantly. Many interesting anecdotes of Fuseli appear in his Life by John Knowles published in 1831. He died on the 17th of April 1825 at the house of the Countess of Guildford. The location was Putney Hill where he resided during his final years. He was buried in the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral. He remained comparatively wealthy at the time of his death after an uninterrupted good health life spanning 84 years.
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Common questions
When and where was Henry Fuseli born?
Henry Fuseli was born on the 7th of February 1741 in Zürich. He grew up as the second child among eighteen siblings.
Why did Henry Fuseli leave Switzerland for England?
Henry Fuseli left Switzerland after helping his friend Johann Kaspar Lavater expose an unjust magistrate whose family sought revenge. Authorities forced him to flee immediately, leading him to travel through Germany before arriving in England in 1765.
What is the significance of The Nightmare painting by Henry Fuseli?
The Nightmare first excited particular attention when Henry Fuseli exhibited it at the Royal Academy in 1782. Themes seen in this work included horror, dark magic and sexuality which echoed in his later Night-Hag visiting the Lapland Witches from 1796.
How many Milton paintings did Henry Fuseli complete and what happened to them?
Henry Fuseli completed 47 Milton paintings over nine years starting in 1799. The exhibition proved a commercial failure and closed in 1800 despite many works being very large intended for a gallery comparable to Boydell's Shakespeare gallery.
When did Henry Fuseli die and where was he buried?
Henry Fuseli died on the 17th of April 1825 at the house of the Countess of Guildford on Putney Hill. He was buried in the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral after living 84 years of uninterrupted good health.