Heywood Hardy (1842-1933)
Heywood Hardy is best known as a painter of animals, particularly equestrian scenes and portraits. He also painted landscapes, portraits and sporting genre scenes and was accomplished illustrator, published in the Illustrated London News and the Graphic. Born in Chichester in 1842 Heywood Hardy was the youngest of ten children. He left home at 17 following an argument with his father, the artist James Hardy (senior), earning a living as an artist before moving to Paris in 1864 to study at École des Beaux-Arts. Returning to England in 1868 he established himself as a very successful animal painter, commissioned by wealthy patrons to paint their favourite animals particularly horses, horse-riding or sporting scenes including hunts. He also enjoyed success at the Royal Academy exhibiting more than forty works. Heywood Hardy was a founder member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, a founder member of the Royal Society of Painters and Etchers, a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, and an Associate of the Royal Watercolour Society. He exhibited at the British Institute and the Royal Academy. His paintings can be found in many public collections including the Laing Art Gallery, the Royal West of England Academy, the Bury Art Museum, and the Manchester Art Gallery.
Paintings for sale by Heywood Hardy:
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