Description
This very fine and beautifully painted watercolour has been signed by two different artists. A possible explanation would be that the picture was a combined effort between both artists who shared an interest in painting realistic portraits of ordinary working people. Not much is known about Terry but a great deal has been recorded on the life of Herkomer. Being that Herkomer’s stature in the art world is more significant than Terry’s doubts may arise to the authenticity of his signature, which could have been added at some stage in the past to improve the value of the picture. It is true that Herkomer attracts more attention at auctions but Terry’s work, ‘at it’s best’, can be compared favourably with similar works by Herkomer.
Herkomer exhibited a very large number of memorable portraits, figure subjects and landscapes, in oil and watercolour; he exercised a wide influence upon art education by means of the Herkomer School at Bushey, which he founded in 1883. He was a prominent member of Royal Academy of Arts, Royal Watercolour Society and the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers, as well as being on familiar terms with the royal family. He had a great number of friends and it is not unlikely that he came into contact with Henry Terry who would have been of a similar age.
