Frederick Henry Howard Harris (British, 1829-1901)

Frederick Henry Howard Harris (British, 1829-1901)

Seaside Pleasures & Players, Lynmouth Devon

Oil on Canvas

• Signed with initials and dated '1857' lower left.  Inscribed on label verso.
• There are 2 paintings by this artist in the British National Art Collection.
• Painting - 36cm x 46cm
  
• Frame - 47cm x 57cm 

Lot Notes

A very fine oil painting on canvas depicting a busy beach scene at Lynmouth by Frederick Henry Howard Harris.  Signed with initials and dated lower left.

Condition

In very fine condition.  Professionally lined and conserved in the late 20th century.  Clean, most attractive, well framed and ready to hang.

Artist Information

Frederick Henry Howard Harris was the son of Henry Harris (b.1811), an artist and drawing master and his wife Margaret who lived at 16 Caroline Street, Birmingham. According to official records, he was born on 23 January, 1829 rather than the date of 1826 which has been previously listed. He is also sometimes mistakenly referred to as Francis.

Whilst he was growing up, his parents ran a school in Frederick Street, Edgbaston and it is highly likely he was tutored there by his father and his mother who was a school mistress. His future wife Lucinda Evetts also worked there for a time as an assistant and this is undoubtedly where they first met. By the time of his marriage to Lucinda at Old Church, Edgbaston church on 20 June, 1859 he had established himself as an artist. Together they lived at 18 Harborne road, where his wife later set up a school. Lucinda was nearly 10 years older than him which may have caused a bit of a stir at the time. This could account for the differing birth years recorded on the censuses after their marriage, as they may have wanted to conceal this. As well as travelling around the UK to paint, he also went abroad visiting Europe and Morocco. He exhibited at the Royal Society of Artists, Birmingham becoming a member of the organisation in 1872.

After giving up the school around 1881, the couple moved to Hills Side, Kingscote Road, Edgbaston. Harris spent his final years living at Mariecroft, Margaret Road in Birmingham. He died on 30 December, 1901 at Birmingham.

Examples of his work can be found at the Wolverhampton Art Gallery and the Birmingham Museum.