CLARK, John Heaviside (1771-1863) — London & Edinburgh
Painter & draughtsman, illustrator, etcher & engraver; bookbinder. Etched James Pattison Cockburn, Pictural plan of the grand expedition in the West Scheldt 1809; Urania’s mirror; or, a view of the heavens — a toy featuring thirty-two transparencies of constellations engraved by Sidney Hall (see BME 2011) ca.1825; Friedrich Wilhelm Delkeskamp, ‘Panorama of the Rhine and the adjacent country from Cologne to Mayence drawn from nature … engraved by John Clark ; to which are now added maps showing the routes from Calais, Ostend, and Rotterdam, to Cologne, and from Mayence to the sources of the Rhine, together with the steam boat companion, describing the places between Rotterdam and Mayence’ ca.1825. Also the inventor of a portable diorama known as the “myorama” (see his ‘The amateur’s assistant’ 1826). Chiefly known for his prolific output of topographical views, illustrations, commemorative pieces, etc., as well as still life work. Also known for ‘A practical essay on the art of colouring and painting landscapes in water colours’ 1807, and his ‘The triumph of innocence : an ode written by John Heaviside Clark Esq,r’ 1821, set to music by William Crouch.
Said to have been born in Scotland, although the 1861 census, when he was boarding in Edinburgh recorded as a retired artist, gives England. He is probably to be identified with the John Clark born in Edinburgh 7 Dec 1771 and baptised at the Canongate 15 Dec 1771, the son of James Clark and his wife Ellison Salton. Clark worked in London for about fifty years before retiring to Edinburgh. He married Stuart Seddon Elston from Devon at St. George Hanover Square 22 May 1797. He was recorded as a bookbinder at the baptism of two daughters in 1818. He was a friend of Thomas Rowlandson (see BME 2011) and a member of the Westminster Whig Club, “an active associate of Sir Francis Burdett, Thelwall, Horne Tooke, Francis Place and other pioneer reformers” (The Athenæum, 10 Oct 1863). He died at home in Edinburgh 4 Oct 1863 in his ninety-second year. He was buried at Dalry Cemetery, Edinburgh, 7 Oct. Known as “Waterloo” Clark, from his sketches taken after the battle. Exhibited landscapes, etc., at the Royal Academy 1812-1832.
27 Dartmouth Street, Westminster — 1812
Villiers Street, Strand — 1818
9 Symond’s Inn — 1832
7 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh — 1861-1863
Adams. Alexander. BM. Bryan. Census 1861. Grant. Graves (1905). Houfe. LHD. LMA.