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.XV,..
132 771.: late -.4.tR. Twigg, Esq.
tal<en,.' as one of the noblest prerogatives of superior genius. To the
man who‘ conscious of this superiority, there is, perhaps, no gratis
iication dearer than the contemplation of that reputation which outlives
bothhirriself and his exertions. It gives a. new impulse to his faculties 3 ‘
theidifiiculties which to others would appear almost‘ insurmountable, lie
is" enabled to overcome; and those attainments which a less enterprizing
person might think scarcely possible, are, by any industrious application;
brought within his reach. ‘In the study of the arts "especially, mi early
application isjnot onlyadvantageous, but absolutely necessary to success.
Life is 'so'short,:that without this perscvering assiduity, no man can
hope for ‘celebrity; and, so uncertain, that it is a duty of equal
importance ’ to" begin. early ,' lestbefore their talents can ‘be matured,
oijfarnel "a'eIqu“ired,"’ death ‘should cut short their prospects, and terminate
their ;hopes; ‘ ' ‘ ' V ’
l These remarks are fully exemplified in the studious life, and pro:
mature death ‘of the much-lamented artist, to whose Lmcmory the
tribute of this brief notice is inscribed. ‘ '
‘ A. R. Twigg was the younger son of Mr. Richard Twigg,‘of "this city.
So deeply impressed was his mind with the utility of the early and 1m-‘
remitting attention, which has been recommended in’ the foregoing
observations, that feeling a decided prcdeliction for the profession of a
painter, ‘he, at a very early age, commenced his carreerin the arts. In
these ‘studies his proficiency was so rapid, and'so indefatigable his Cn-
deavours to attain prcscminence, that though prematurely snatched away,
he‘ha.s left such specimens behind him, as secure to his works a dis-
tinguished rank among the productions of Irish artists. The first
rudiments of his art were (in common with most of our native. 7
aftistsl =1Cquir<5d under the direction of the late Mr. West; and his
proficiency must have been very ‘great, as we find him, when a mere
boy, producing some very excellent portraits in the Exhibition in
the Parliament-hou.se, in 1802. Since that period he- has employed
a considerable time studying the style of Teniers, and such of the
Flemish masters as came within his reach. The great advantages
and improvement he derived from these studies, were very obvious in
his later works, and must excite regret that an opportunity of studying
these chef de oeuvres of the art which are hoarded up by asellish race
of connoisseurs, is not more frequently extended to our young artists;
such models being as essential to improvement in this art, as Homer,
Virgil, and other classic authors are in polite literature.
The full-length portrait of General Vallancey, produced by him,
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