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John
F. Herring, Jr. was born in Doncaster c.1820, to the well-known 19th
century artist John F. Herring, Sr.
Herring, Sr., at that time, was considered one of England’s
greatest Sporting and Equestrian artists and was therefore patronized
by the English aristocracy. His
mastery of the brush and popularity among the nobles served his son,
Herring, Jr., well. Early
on he was exposed to fine painting and wealthy patrons.
It
has been stated in a number of recent reference books that Herring,
Sr.’s first child was named John Frederick Herring, Jr. and was born
on June 21, 1815 and baptized on October 22, 1815.
However another child was born in 1820 and also named John
Frederick Herring, Jr. (baptized in 1821).
The assumption is that the first Herring child died and the
second, born in 1820, is the artist we know of today.
It
is no surprise that Herring, Jr. developed a love for painting – a
passion that was also shared by his brothers Charles and Benjamin. Three of Herring, Sr.’s four sons became artists and
painted in the same style as their father – often collaborating on a
single painting.
In
the years after 1836, Herring, Sr., feeling threatened by Herring,
Jr.’s abilities and growing popularity, began incorporating the
‘SR’ at the end of his signature.
Herring,
Jr. continued to paint, in the tradition of his father, sporting and
animal pictures, however as his artistic prowess developed his style
changed – loosening his brushwork and widening his views. The placement of farm animals at the banks of a stream or in
a farmyard were characteristic of his work.
Herring,
Jr. married Kate Rolfe, an artist herself and the daughter of
Alexander Rolfe, the English angling and sporting artist.
Herring, Jr. would, at times, collaborate with his
father-in-law, as well as other artists - painting the animals in
their works.
During
his lifetime Herring exhibited at all the major exhibition halls
including the Royal Academy, where he exhibited: The
Farm – Autumn (1863), Farm-yard
(1864), Watering the Team
(1869), The Homestead (1871)
and A Farm yard (1872) among
others.
This
essay is copyrighted by Rehs Galleries, Inc. and may not be reproduced
or transmitted without written permission from Rehs Galleries, Inc.
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