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Heywood Hardy (1843-1933)
A painter of equestrian, hunting and genre
scenes often set in the eighteenth century, as
well as a distinguished portraitist, Heywood
Hardy was the youngest son of the artist James
Hardy Snr (1801-1879).
He began his career as an animal artist in
Keynsham; however, following initial failure, he
joined the 7th Somerset Volunteers for a brief
period. In 1864, Hardy went to Paris and
entered the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, where he
studied with the battle painter, Pielse. He then
visited Antwerp, returning to England shortly
before 1868.
In 1870, Hardy settled in London and shared a
studio with Briton Riviere. His career flourished
and he was elected a member of several
societies, including the Royal Society of Painters
and Etchers, the Royal Institute of Oil Painters
and the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. He
was an Associate of the Royal Watercolour
Society. Hardy also worked as an illustrator,
contributing to The Illustrated London News
and The Graphic Magazine.
Famed for his sensitive portrayal of animals,
Hardy was invited to many country estates
and commissioned by several distinguished
patrons, including Colonel Wyndham Murray,
the Marquis of Zetland and the Sitwells of
Renishaw.
Hardy moved to West Sussex in 1909, and at
the age of eighty-three embarked upon a
unique phase in his career. This was a
controversial series of biblical scenes portraying
Christ walking in the Sussex countryside,
surrounded by recognisable contemporary
village dignitaries. These panels were painted
to mark the 700th anniversary of Clymping
Church, where they can still be seen today.
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