The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Fay, Joseph

FAY, fī, Joseph, German painter: b. Cologne, 10 Aug. 1815; d. Düsseldorf, 27 July 1875. His art education began in the Düsseldorf Academy and was continued in Paris where he turned his attention to historical painting. His first picture ‘Samson and Delilah,’ was exhibited in his 27th year. He painted a series of frescoes in the Council Chamber at Elberfeld, in which was portrayed the history of Germany from the destruction of the Varian legions. His fertile pencil produced among other pictures ‘Thisbe’; ‘Romeo and Juliet’; ‘Gretchen.’ He later on paid some attention to genre, depicting scenes in Italian life, reminiscences of travel in the peninsula. Felicitous conception, brilliant coloring and dextrous brush work are conspicuous in his productions.