Giles Firman Phillips


Giles Firmin Phillips was an English artist and author. He painted landscapes and river scenes, primarily of the river Thames. His paintings were exhibited, among other venues, at the Royal Academy from 1836 - 1858. He is the author of several books on painting and lithography.

Biography

Phillips was born in 1780, the youngest child of John and Dorothy Phillips. Nothing is known about Giles’ childhood and adolescence. There is also no indication of why or how he became an artist. He was not taught at the Royal Academy Schools.
The first record of his artistic inclination is his engraving of Lady Eliza Wrixon-Becher, a celebrated actress of the time, which was published by A. Beugo in 1815 when Giles was 35 years old. Another engraving, this time of Sarah Siddons, was published, also by A. Beugo, in 1825. During the latter years Giles was moving fairly frequently. There are records of his insurance policies, taken out with the Sun Fire Office in the early 1820s which show him living at 4, Craven Street, City Road in 1822 and 35, Tavistock Street, Covent Garden by 1825, and described as an engraver. By 1827 he was living at 16 Brownlow Street, off High Holborn, and he is described as a “Drawing Master” in the directories of the time. His son John was also living with the family at the time.
He was a founder member of the New Watercolour Society He joined in 1832 soon after its foundation, and was on the committee of Management in 1833, for a year. He was also a professional subscriber in 1834, but according to the catalogues was neither a member nor exhibitor after 1835.
He was described as an eccentric old watercolour painter, well known in his day.
Phillips married Lydia Arnold on 11 June 1800. They are the parents of author/illustrator John Phillips. Giles Phillips was also the great uncle of illustrator, author and playwright Watts Phillips.
According to his death certificate, Phillips died on 31 March 1867 in Islington. He was buried at the Holy Trinity Church, East Finchley.

Published books

Giles Phillips wrote five books, one on Lithography, and four on the Techniques of Painting, which were published between 1828 and 1840.
The Art of Drawing on Stone in which is fully explained the process of chalk drawing, of pen and ink drawing, and of the dabbing system, together with the preparation of ink and chalks. By G.F. Phillips. Lith. London; printed for R.H. Laurie, Map, Chart and Print Seller, 53, Fleet Street, 1828. J. Rider, Printer, Little Britain.
Principles of Effect and Colour as Applicable to Landscape Painting Illustrated by examples for the amateur and professional student in Art Darton & Clark, Holborn Hill, 1834.
The Theory and Practice of Painting in Watercolours, as connected with the study of Landscape, by G.F. Phillips, author of 'Principles of Effect and Colour.......'
Published by Charles Tilt, 86, Fleet Street, 1838.
This is the 3rd Edition.
First edition. 34pp + advert leaf. 4 hand coloured and 10 sepia aquatint plates. Abbey Life 165.
Advertised in "The Athanaeum" March 1838
A Practical Treatise on Drawing, and on Painting in Watercolours, with illustrative examples in pencil in sepia, and in watercolours Published by A.H. Baily & Co. 1839.
The Art of Painting and Drawing simplified in a series of examples of Parts of the Human Figure with the most approved method of Miniature Painting to which is annexed the Art of Flower Painting. A.H. Baily & Co. Cornhill, 1840.

Pictures and drawings in public collections

Victoria & Albert Museum
  1. A Coast Scene, Sunset 3 x 6.25 inches. Ref: 104-1892
  2. A River Scene 4.375 x 8.375 inches. Ref: 105-1892
  3. Landscape, undulating country, cattle in the foreground, the sea in the distance signed G.F. Phillips: 9.375 x 16 inches. Ref. 1362-1925. Gift of A.W. Wallington.
Yale Centre for British Art
  1. Fish Market on the Beach. Watercolour.* 5.5 x 8.275 inches. Ref B 1977.14.5828
  2. A Storm over a Coast Watercolour. 6 x 9.5 inches B 1975.3.906
Anglesey Abbey
Cambridgeshire. Fairhaven Collection.
  1. Windsor from the Northwest Watercolour. 5 x 7.5 inches.
British Museum
  1. Portrait of Sarah Siddons, originally a miniature, stipple engraving 3.75 x 3.25 inches.
  2. Portrait of Lady Eliza Wrixon-Becher, 1791-1872. shown in an octagonal frame with a medallion of Shakespeare above. An original stipple engraving by Giles Firman Phillips, published by A. Beugo, 1815.
Guildhall Library
  1. Fore Street, Lambeth Litho. 10"/8.625" x 6.25"/6.125". Printed by C. Motte. Published by J. Kendrick, 54 Leicester Square,
  2. Old Buildings at Lambeth Litho. Image 7" x 6.125". Printed at C. Motte's Lithog.
  3. The Knight's Bridge at Knightsbridge Coloured Litho. Printed by C. Motte, 23 Leicester Square. 6" x 8.5".
National Portrait Gallery
Leslie Grove Jones by Giles Firmin Phillips, after Abraham Wivell; Stipple engraving 1832; 6 1/2 in. x 4 1/8 in. ; Archive Collection
University of Liverpool Collection
Near Whalley, Lancashire. Oil on Panel. 49 x 70 cm

Book Illustrations

Two of his pictures, one of Barnes and one of Kew Gardens, were engraved by R. Winkles and used as illustrations for 'A New and Complete History of the Counties of Surrey and Sussex' by Thomas Allen.

Exhibitions

Society of British Artists Phillips exhibited 50 works there between 1831 and 1848, which is confirmed by the surviving catalogues. The Society had been founded in 1824, and its exhibitions were held at 6, Suffolk Street,
British Institution. Shakespeare Gallery, 52, Pall Mall, founded 1806 and exhibitions held there until 1866. The British Institution held 2 exhibitions each year, the 'Winter' exhibition being devoted to British Artists. Between 1808 and 1842 'Premiums' or prizes were awarded to exhibitors. Phillips exhibited there from 1830 - 1846.
The Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly. Phillips exhibited 16 pictures between 1831 and 1858.
Institute for the Free Exhibition of Modern Art. Portland Gallery, Hyde Park Corner. Organiser was E.J. Neimann. Phillips exhibited 8 pictures, watercolours and oils in 1848-9. Prices exist showing he made between 5 and 10 guineas for a watercolour and between 25 guineas and £40.00 for an oil painting.
Dudley Gallery
Royal Manchester Institution. He exhibited 6 pictures at Manchester between 1839 and 1846.
New Watercolour Society
1832 - Old Buildings at Deptford, Twilight; View at Millbank, Morning; View on the Thames, Evening; Twilight; Tower Stairs, Twilight; View from Greenwich, Sunset; Twilight Composition; Canal Scene, Morning; Windsor Castle from Brocas Meadow; Lane at Streatley, Beds; Coast Scene, Sunset; Rochester Castle
1834 - View from Mill Hill, Gravesend; View of the Thames from Gravesend; Coast Scene, Morning

Pictures sold at auction

Art Prices Current Vol 1 1907-8
1908 - Rosherville on Thames - Sold by Executors of Richard Mills, 34 Queens Gate Place, London Drawing: G F Phillips, 9.5 x 12.5 inches, £3.13.6
1908 - A Landscape - Sold from collection of pictures and drawings of Sir Jas. Knowles deceased. Drawings in folio: £18/-
1912 - Fishing Boat off a Port" and "View on the Thames, Sunset - Christies Sale of Drawings£15/-.
1914 - View on the Thames" and "Cottage with Figures and Donkeys - Christies Sale of Drawings£15/-
1968 - A View on the Thames from East Greenwich, with Woolwich in the Distance. - Christies Lot 129 signed, oil on canvas, 15.5 x 39.5 inches. Exhibition, Royal Academy 1850, no: 434. £200.
1988 - On the Thames - Christies, King Street, St James, London. Sale ref: MR4798 Lot 87, watercolour 9 x 13.5 inches, signed and inscribed on verso. £420
1993 - On the Thames Christies, South Kensington, Lot 84, Sold to Swan Gallery, Sherborne, Dorset for £190
1990 - A View from the Thames from Blackheath - Bonhams, Sale of 19th Century Watercolours. Lot 45 watercolour, signed, 8 x 13 inches. £120
1990 A Lighthiouse above an Estuary Christie's-South-Kensington. Lot 234.22.9 x 35.6 cm - Sold for £54
1995 - Phillips, Cornubia Hall, Par, Cornwall Lot 690. A Pair of Estuary Scenes, one with steam tugs and barges, the other with horse and cart unloading a beached barge. One signed. Watercolours, 9.5 x 13.75 inches approx.
1996 - Beached Fishing Boats," and "Estuary with ditto - Western Road Auction Rooms, Angmering, Sussex Lot 401. "Two early 20th century watercolours, one signed G F Phillips, 4.5 x 6.1 inches
1996 - Elegant Figures Promenading in Syon Park - Christies Sale of British and Continental Pictures, South Kensington, London, Lot 185. inscribed "Sion House the Seat/ of the Duke of Northumberland /By G F Phillips" on a label on the reverse. Oil on board. 12 x 18 inches £420
1997 - Custom House Quay and Billingsgate, with Old London Bridge - Phillips, New Bond Street, London Lot 18A.. Watercolour 9 x 13.5 inches, signed and inscribed in pencil on verso. Est. £800-1200.
1998 - Cattle Beside the River Thames, a Country House Amidst Trees - Phillips at Higham House, Canterbury, watercolour 8.25 x 16.25 inches. Est £300-500
1998 - Extensive River Landscape with Shipping and Dwellings - Phillips, Chester Lot 719, Watercolour with scratching out, signed G. Phillips, 15 x 25 cm Est. £160-240 £400
2001 - Grounds of Sion House, the seat of the Duke of Northumberland - Bonhams and Brooks, London, Lot 47 Oil on board, signed and inscribed on label on verso, 30.7 x 46.5 cm sold for £220
2002 - The Road from Tintern to Chepstow - Jacobs & Hunt, Petersfield, Hants, watercolour, signed 26 x 37 cm £380