JAMES HARDY ~ The Morning’s Bag ’85

Admired and sought after, this artist’s work epitomises the best of English Victorian sporting painting. James Hardy, Jnr. was the son of James Hardy, a landscape painter and brother of Heywood Hardy (1843-1933), who specialised in hunting scenes, coaching and rustic genre.

James Hardy was born in Bristol in 1832 and later moved residence to London where his address was Thyra House, Moss Hall, North Finchley in 1880. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1862 to 1886 with titles including: “Gillie on the Lookout”, 1871; “Hill Man with Deer Hounds”, 1873; “The English Game-keeper”, 1874; “Waiting to Collect the Game”, 1875; etc. He also exhibited at the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Arthur Tooth & Sons Gallery, Royal Society of British Artists, New Watercolour Society. Recognition of his work was soon to follow being elected to the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in 1877, Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 1883 and the New Watercolour Society in 1877.

This is a superb example of James Hardy’s work. His ability to capture with absolute accuracy the hunting dog confirmed him as being one of the finest animal painters of the Victorian period. Sporting paintings of this calibre are avidly sought after, but sadly they have become very scarce today. This painting represents the best of his work and is presented in pristine condition and is signed and dated by the artist.