Background
Foggo was born in London on 11 June 1789. His father was a native of Fife, and a watchmaker of good repute, but an advanced republican.
Foggo was born in London on 11 June 1789. His father was a native of Fife, and a watchmaker of good repute, but an advanced republican.
He strenuously advocated negro emancipation in repeated visits to North and South America. Unfortunately the Foggos arrived just at the commencement of Napoleon"s military despotism, and were unable to quit Paris and return to their native land as they desired. The brothers became desirous of emulating the work done, under the encouragement of their country, by the French historical painters.
In 1815, on Napoleon"s return from Elba, Foggo quit France for England, where he found all the friends of his family dead or dispersed.
He set up a studio in Frith Street, Soho. In 1816 he exhibited Jane Shore at the Royal Academy, and in 1818 Hagar and Ishmael at the British Institution, contributing also to the latter a study of An Assassin"s Head.
The picture of "Hagar" was well hung, and attracted attention, but did not find a purchaser. Foggo was obliged to support himself by teaching, and occasionally painting portraits.
From this time for forty years the two brothers lived and worked together, painting on the same canvas, and devoting themselves to historical compositions.
They spent about three years in painting a very large picture, representing The Christian Inhabitants of Parga preparing to emigrate. This, when completed, was too large for exhibition in the ordinary galleries, and the Foggos were compelled to exhibit it separately at their own expense. They were forced to eke out their means by all kinds of artistic drudgery.
By sketching in accessories to architectural and sculptural designs they became acquainted with Francis Goodwin, the architect, who advised them to paint pictures suitable for altar-pieces in churches.
The brothers lost patronage by their open advocacy of a more liberal system of education in art than that provided by the Academy. They were unsuccessful competitors at the Westminster Hall exhibitions in 1843-1847, but exhibited their works with Benjamin Haydon and others at the Pantheon.
Among other historical pictures painted by them were: The Martyrdom of Anne Askew, Wat Tyler killing the Tax Collector, The Barons taking the Oath at Bury Saint Edmunds, Napoleon signing the Death-warrant of the Duc d"Enghien, General Williams among the Inhabitants of Kars, &c.
In 1852 they undertook the arrangement and care of the exhibition at the Pantheon in Oxford Street, and continued it for three years. Mr. Hart, a well-known picture dealer, offered to purchase all the unsold works which the Foggos had by them.
The offer, gladly accepted, came to nothing, owing to the premature death of the purchaser.
The brothers were much esteemed in private life for many excellent qualities, and their friends were numerous and sincere. Foggo died in London 14 September 1860, and was buried in the Highgate cemetery.