William Capon (artist)

Capon, whose father was also an artist, was born at Norwich on 6 December 1757,^[1] and in early life practised as a portrait painter.^[2]

Capon went to London, where he became an assistant to the architect and scene-painter Michael Novosielski,^[1] and was employed on the decorations of Ranelagh Gardens and the Italian Opera-house. He was afterwards employed by John Kemble as scene painter for Drury Lane Theatre, which was rebuilt in 1794. In later years he became celebrated as an architectural draughtsman.^[2] In the company of the antiquarian John Carter he recorded ancient buildings in Westminster, including some buildings which were scheduled to be demolished.^[1] He was appointed Architectural Draughtsman to the Duke of York in June 1804.^[1] He occasionally exhibited at the Royal Academy.^[2]

He died at his home in North Street Westminster in 1827.^[1]

Attribution:

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Bryan, Michael (1886). "Capon, William". In Graves, Robert Edmund (ed.). Bryan's Dictionary of Painters and Engravers (A–K). Vol. I (3rd ed.). London: George Bell & Sons.
• Burden, Michael (2019). "London's Opera House in Colour 1705–1844, with Diversions in Fencing, Masquerading, and a visit from Elisabeth Félix". Music in Art: International Journal for Music Iconography. 44 (1–2): 19–165. ISSN 1522-7464.