Virtue, George Paintings

George Virtue was a British publisher and bookseller, not an artist in the traditional sense of a painter or sculptor. Born in 1794, he established his business in London in the early 19th century. Virtue is known for his association with the production and publication of art and illustrated books, which contributed significantly to the dissemination of art and culture during the Victorian era.

George Virtue's company, Virtue & Co., was located at 26 Ivy Lane, Paternoster Row, London, and later at City Road and Ivy Lane. He published a wide range of works, including 'The Art Journal,' which was an influential Victorian magazine devoted to the visual arts. First published in 1839, 'The Art Journal' included engravings of works by contemporary artists, articles on art history, and reviews of exhibitions, making art more accessible to the burgeoning middle class. The journal was notable for its high-quality engravings and became a respected source of art criticism and education.

Virtue is also recognized for producing engravings and publishing volumes that featured the works of eminent artists of the time, such as J.M.W. Turner. His publications often included steel engravings, which were a popular form of art reproduction in the 19th century. These engravings allowed for fine detail and high-quality prints, which could be produced in large numbers, thus reaching a wider audience.

While not an artist himself, George Virtue played a crucial role in the art world of his time by promoting and distributing the works of artists and making art more widely available. His contributions to the publication of art helped lay the groundwork for the mass consumption of visual culture. Virtue's legacy is tied to the proliferation of art literature and the democratization of art appreciation during the Victorian period.

George Virtue passed away in 1868, but his impact on the art publishing industry continued beyond his lifetime, as Virtue & Co. remained active in the publishing scene for many years thereafter, cementing Virtue's place in the history of art dissemination.