| Biography of old oil painting master Herbert James Draper what we can copy |
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Herbert James Draper
English Victorian Neoclassical painter
born 1863 - died 1920
Member of: Royal British Colonial Society
Herbert James Draper was born in London.
Herbert James Draper was educated at Bruce Castle before
moving to the Royal Academy Schools, where
Herbert James Draper was awarded a gold medal and a travelling
scholarship in 1889. In 1890 Herbert James
Draper travelled
throughout Europe, spending time in Paris
and Rome. |
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Draper settled in London in
1891, and at about this time married Ida
Williams' daughter of a magistrate - they
had one daughter. Herbert James Draper specialised in
paintings depicting mythological events, not
dissimilar to the subjects which attracted
J. W. Waterhouse. His picture The Lament for
Icarus, was purchased by the Chantry Bequest
in 1898. In 1900 Draper was awarded a gold
medal at The International Exhibition in
Paris for Icarus. Herbert James Draper exhibited at the RA
each year from 1887 until shortly before his
death. Draper also had a lucrative society
portrait painting practice, his aristocratic
sitters including the Duchess of Abercorn.
Another area of activity was decorative work
including, appropriately, the ceiling of the
Drapers Hall. |
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Draper did not become even an ARA, which I
find somewhat surprising, given his long
association with the RA, and the quality of
his work. Herbert James Draper was though, a member of The
Royal British Colonial Society, whose
President for a number of years was Thomas
Gotch. Draper’s paintings are in public
galleries throughout Britain, South Africa,
and Australia. In the mythological subject
area his paintings include, as well as
Lament for Icarus, Ulysses and the Sirens,
The Kelpie, and The Vintage Morn. |
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Herbert Draper had, in his lifetime, a
considerable reputation, which declined
rapidly, probably before his death. |
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It is difficult
to find much information about Draper the
man, though it is a matter of record Herbert
James Draper attended the funeral of Waterhouse, his
close neighbour, in 1917. His residence in
St John’s Wood attests to his material
success.
The Antique Collectors Club tell me that
they will be publishing an art monograph
about Draper in mid 2002. I look forward to
it with interest. I will also be carrying
out further research of my own.
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For FULL catalogue pls click "Catalogue" at the TOP of the page.
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