Some Account xlvi
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What were the methods by which this
great painter attained to such consummate
George Michael Moser, Keeper of the Royal Academy ;
aged seventy-eight years. He was a native of Switzerland,
but came to England very young, to follow the profession
of a Chaser in gold, in which art he has been always con-
sidered as holding the first rank. But his skill was not con-
fined to this alone ; he possessed a universal knowledge
in all the branches of painting and sculpture, which per-
fectly qualified him for the place that he held in the Aca-
demy, the business of which principally consists in super-
intending and instructing the Students, who draw or
model from the antique figures.
“ His private character deserves a more ample testi-
mony than this transient, memorial. Few have passed a
more inoffensive or perhaps a more happy life ; if happi-
ness or the enjoyment of lifd consists in having the mind
always occupied, always intent upon some useful art, by
which fame and distinction may be acquired. Mr. Mo-
ser’s whole attention was absorbed either in the practice,
or something that related to the advancement, of art.
He may truly be said in every sense to have been the
father of the present race of Artists ; for long before the
Royal Academy was established, he presided over the
little Societies which met first in Salisbury-Court, and
afterwards in St. Martin’s Lane, where they drew from,
living models. Perhaps nothing that can be said, will
more strongly imply his amiable disposition, than that all
the different Societies with which he has been connected,
have always turned their eyes upon him for their Treasurer
and chief Mana ger ; when perhaps they would not have