Gamaliel Massiot facts for kids

Gamaliel Massiot (born around 1700, died 1782) was a talented artist. He was a Huguenot, which means his family had to leave their home because of their religion. Gamaliel became the very first Drawing Master at the important Royal Military Academy, Woolwich.

Early Life and Family

Gamaliel Massiot grew up in London. He was part of a large Protestant family. His parents were James and Jane Massiot.

His family originally came from Western France. They had to leave their home country. This was because they were Huguenots, a group of French Protestants. They faced unfair treatment for their beliefs. So, they moved to England to find safety.

Teaching at the Royal Military Academy

On December 6, 1744, Gamaliel Massiot got a special job. He was appointed the first Drawing Master at the Royal Military Academy. This was a very important role.

One of his students was Thomas Davies. Thomas later became a British Army Officer and a well-known artist. He joined the Academy in 1755.

What Massiot Taught

Massiot taught his classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. His lessons covered many useful skills. Students learned how to sketch landscapes. They also practiced drawing different views.

His classes also included drawing buildings. This was called "Civil Architecture." He also taught "Perspective." This is a way of drawing to make things look three-dimensional.

Later Years at the Academy

In 1768, another famous artist, Paul Sandby, joined the Academy. Sandby became the senior Drawing Master. However, Massiot stayed on as the second Drawing Master.

He continued teaching until just before he passed away in 1782.

Life in Woolwich

A few years after starting his job, Massiot moved. He left Central London and moved to Woolwich. This was closer to the Academy.

He was given rooms right in the Academy Tower. Later, he moved again to Plumstead, a nearby town in Kent.

His Artwork

Today, Gamaliel Massiot is known for eleven special drawings. These drawings are kept at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. They show important scenes from his time.

The drawings were bought in 1916 by a newspaper called The Illustrated London News. At first, no one knew who the artist was. Later, they were given to the Museum.

What the Drawings Show

These drawings were almost certainly made by Massiot. He created them while he was working at Woolwich. They show the grounds of the Royal Artillery. They also show workers in the Laboratory.

The Laboratory was a place where ammunition was made. These drawings are thought to be his only surviving works. They give us a detailed look at life in the Warren in the mid-1700s.