Charles Robert Leslie (1794 - 1859)

Charles Robert Leslie

Charles Robert Leslie was a prominent British painter-painter and writer.

Leslie was born in London to American parents who returned to the United States when he was 5 years old, but at the age of 19 he came to England to study. While studying at the Royal Academy of Arts, he traveled throughout Europe and painted extensively. The subjects of his paintings were often based on the great plays of Shakespeare, the works of Irving and Scott. Leslie was talented and unusual in transforming scenes from famous plays into works of art: Sancho Panza and Don Quixote, Juliet, Petruccio, Florizel and other characters come to life on his canvases. Leslie also painted historical works for Queen Victoria, including The Princess's Christening, Queen Victoria in Coronation Dress.

In addition to painting, Leslie made a name for himself as an art writer not only in Europe but also in the United States. He lectured and wrote various English language textbooks and created the popular "Handbook for Young Artists."

In 1821 Leslie was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy and five years later a full Royal Academician. Charles Robert's son, George Dunlop Leslie (1835-1921), was similarly an artist, producing elegant genre works.