(1751 - 84), painter, s. of William Jefferys, painter, of Maidstone, Kent; apprenticed in London to William Woollett 1771; RA schools 1772; possibly studied with J.H. Mortimer; exh. SA 1771, 1773 - 4; awarded Gold Palette for best historical drawing by SA and Gold Medal for best historical painting by RA 1774; exh. RA 1775, 1783.
1775 - 81? Leghorn, Rome (7 Oct. 1775 - Feb. 1777 - ); Florence (1777), Rome (by 13 Dec. 1777 - ) [London by Sep. 1781]
On the recommendation of Sir Joshua Reynolds, the Society of Dilettanti awarded Jefferys its first travelling scholarship in 1775. Soon after reaching Rome, Jefferys wrote to the Society discussing details of the payment of his stipend; he said he had landed at Leghorn 'after a very tedious and dangerous voyage of near three months', and had proceeded by land to Rome, where he arrived on 7 October 1775.1 He gave his address as the English Coffee House, Piazza di Spagna. Thomas Jones saw him there in November 1776.2 A drawing of Ulysses overcome with Emotion at the Singing of Demodocus at King Alcinous' Feast (RA) is inscribed, 'Sborzato a Roma Februaro 1777', and another, Women Weavers abandon their Work to Dance and make Music (RA), 'Questa fur fatta a Fiorenza 1777'. On 13 December 1777 Thomas Banks said Jefferys was in Rome.3 The date of his departure from Italy is unknown. The fellowship from the Society of Dilettanti was for three years, but Edwards said he 'staid in Italy about four years'.4 Since he is not recorded back in England until September 1781, he probably remained in Italy until that year.
Jefferys is not known to have painted in oil in Italy, but he produced a number of drawings; Alexander Day told Ozias Humphry 'I have seen a drawing wch he has made since his arrival wch I think has infinite merit'.5 With the rediscovery in 1976 of signed drawings by Jefferys in the Maidstone Library it became possible to establish his oeuvre; it reflects the influences of both Thomas Banks and Fuseli, while the exploration of Michelangelo and the Mannerists led to horrific and violent subjects. A group of unsigned sketches dated to June and July 1779, formerly attributed to the Master of the Giants, is now given to Jefferys, and they were presumably also executed in Rome.6
1. Dilettanti MSS (20 Oct. 1775). 2. Jones Memoirs, 53. 3. Bell, Banks, 22, and see 26 (1 Apr. 1778). 4. Edwards, 96. 5. Humphry corr.MSS, hu/2/16. 6. See N.L. Pressly, Burl.Mag., 119[1977]:280 - 4. Fuseli Circle, 82 - 95.
W.L. P.