Background
He was the son of John Bellin of Chigwell, Essex, and born at Doctors" Commons in London.
He was the son of John Bellin of Chigwell, Essex, and born at Doctors" Commons in London.
While in Rome he made some excellent copies of celebrated pictures, and acquired great facility as a draughtsman. On his return to England, about 1834, he devoted himself to engraving, and became one of the leading workers in mezzotint and the mixed method. His plates, which are all from pictures by popular English painters of the day, include "The Meeting of the Council of the Anti-Corn Law League," after J. R. Herbert.
"Heather Belles," after John Phillip.
"The Council of War in the Crimea," after Augustus Egg. "The Gentle Warning," after Frank Stone.
"The Heart"s Resolve," and "The Momentous Question," after Sarah Setchell. "Milton composing "Samson Agonistes,"" after J. C. Horsley.
"Opening of the Great Exhibition of 1851," after H. C. Selous.
"Salutation to the Aged Friars," after C. L. Eastlake. "Doctor Johnson"s Visit to Garrick," after East. M. Ward. And portraits of Albert, Prince Consort, Lord John Russell, and the Member of Parliament Joseph Hume.
He produced his last plate in 1870, when he retired from the profession.
Bellin drew and etched on three plates a panoramic view of Rome from Monte Pincio, which he published, with a dedication to Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, in 1835. He died at his house in Regent"s Park Road, London, on 29 April 1893.
He was an original member of the Graphic Society.