William Gilpin 1724 - 1804

Theorist, Teacher, Artist, Clergyman, Biographer, and Writer.

Probably best known for his writing on art and aesthetics, William Gilpin was founder of the aesthetic school of the picturesque.

Although a clergyman, being a school master is probably what most shaped his life.

He developed enlightened and innovative theories about education and the discipline of his pupils.

William often became both patron and drawing master to skilled pupils and many of them eventually became professional artists.

He was borne on 4th June 1724, Carlisle, Cumberland, to art loving parents. He died in Boldre on 5th April 1804.

Gilpin published his popular Essay on Prints In 1768, in which he defined the picturesque as '"that kind of beauty which is agreeable in a picture" and began to expound his "principles of picturesque beauty", based largely on his knowledge of landscape painting.

During the late 1760s and 1770s Gilpin travelled extensively in the summer holidays and applied these principles to the landscapes he saw, committing his thoughts and spontaneous sketches to notebooks.

William Gilpin was buried at the church of St John the Baptist, Boldre where he had been the Vicar.

Extract from the Rev Mr Gilpin's account of the new poorhouse at Boldre in Hampshire. 19th of May 1793

Punishment in Boldre workhouse is rare and gentle; and consists chiefly in confining the delinquent in a room by himself, and abridging him of a meal: if, however, the master is under the necessity of correcting a boy corporally, the punishment is always inflicted in the presence of some respectable person.

For devotion and religious instruction, the family assembles in the kitchen, every morning when the bell rings for breakfast. The master reads, and generally explains, some easy and practical part of the New Testament; after which they all join in prayer.

On Sunday morning and evening, these exercises are enlarged, and accompanied with singing hymns, in which all the children join. They regularly attend church on Sundays; and it is a pleasing sight to see so many well clothed figures, happy faces, and healthy countenances issuing from a parish workhouse.

In the afternoon, on Sunday, the children attend the school, where they are catechized with the older children of the neighbourhood; the old people also attend with them.