James Henry Beard
Encyclopedia
James Henry Beard was an American
Painter
who specialized in the genre of portraits. Portraits consist of a sculpture, painting, or photograph representing a person, in which the facial expressions are dominant. He was elected as a member of the National Academy of Design
in 1872.
in 1814 and later died in Flushing, Queens, New York in 1893. The son of English and Scottish
immigrants, Beard's artistic interest and recognition of his capability took no time to blossom. It was after the Beard family's relocation to Ohio
that he began the serious pursuit of honing his artistic capabilities.
, and pastel
. It was in Painesville, Ohio
that Beard studied under Jarvis Frary Hanks. He established his preferred genre of art in portrait painting; Henry Clay
, John Quincy Adams
, and Don Quixote are just a few of the more sophisticated figures he chose to depict.
in order to get his work noticed. Two years later, his work paid off, as he was inducted into the National Academy of Design.
In 1870, twelve years later, he decided to make New York his permanent home.
of Kentucky
, the presidential candidate whom Beard supported in 1844, who lost to James K. Polk
of Tennessee
. The painting shows Clay relaxing in a chair in a country tavern as others watch his every move, he being nonchalant about the presence of the other guests. Beard later complained that Clay may have lost to Polk because Clay spent too much of his time campaigning in taverns. In early 2009, The Illustrious Guest was featured on the PBS
television program, Antiques Roadshow
. After viewing the program, art appraiser Alan Fausel was quoted as saying that the picture "could hang in an art museum". Rebecca Lawton, the curator of paintings and sculptures at the Amon Carter Museum
in Fort Worth
, Texas
, said that she was intrigued by the painting when she saw it on PBS. Upon viewing the art piece in person, Lawton was able to place the painting in the museum.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
who specialized in the genre of portraits. Portraits consist of a sculpture, painting, or photograph representing a person, in which the facial expressions are dominant. He was elected as a member of the National Academy of Design
National Academy of Design
The National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, founded in New York City as the National Academy of Design – known simply as the "National Academy" – is an honorary association of American artists founded in 1825 by Samuel F. B. Morse, Asher B. Durand, Thomas Cole, Martin E...
in 1872.
Early life
James Henry Beard was born in Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
in 1814 and later died in Flushing, Queens, New York in 1893. The son of English and Scottish
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
immigrants, Beard's artistic interest and recognition of his capability took no time to blossom. It was after the Beard family's relocation to Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
that he began the serious pursuit of honing his artistic capabilities.
Ohio
Beard, like many people, went through different stages in his life. Along with his personal growth was the growth of his artistic abilities. He began with a wide variety of painting techniques such as watercolor , acrylicAcrylic paint
Acrylic paint is fast drying paint containing pigment suspension in acrylic polymer emulsion. Acrylic paints can be diluted with water, but become water-resistant when dry...
, and pastel
Pastel
Pastel is an art medium in the form of a stick, consisting of pure powdered pigment and a binder. The pigments used in pastels are the same as those used to produce all colored art media, including oil paints; the binder is of a neutral hue and low saturation....
. It was in Painesville, Ohio
Painesville, Ohio
As of the 2010 Census, there were 19,563 people. As of the census of 2000, there were 17,503 people, 6,525 households, and 4,032 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,928.6 people per square mile . There were 6,933 housing units at an average density of 1,160.0 per square mile...
that Beard studied under Jarvis Frary Hanks. He established his preferred genre of art in portrait painting; Henry Clay
Henry Clay
Henry Clay, Sr. , was a lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky separately in both the Senate and in the House of Representatives...
, John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States . He served as an American diplomat, Senator, and Congressional representative. He was a member of the Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, and later Anti-Masonic and Whig parties. Adams was the son of former...
, and Don Quixote are just a few of the more sophisticated figures he chose to depict.
New York
In 1846, at the age of 32, Beard returned to New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in order to get his work noticed. Two years later, his work paid off, as he was inducted into the National Academy of Design.
In 1870, twelve years later, he decided to make New York his permanent home.
Artwork
- "Peep at growing danger" (1871)
- "The Widow" (1872)
- "Mutual Friend" (1875)
- "Parson's Pets" (1875)
- "Attorney and Clients" (1876)
- "Out All Night (1876)
- "There's Many a Slip" (1876)
- "Consultation" (1877)
- "Don Quixote" (1878)
- "Sancho Panza" (1878).
The Illustrious Guest
The "Illustrious Guest" (1847) is a depiction of U.S. Senator Henry ClayHenry Clay
Henry Clay, Sr. , was a lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky separately in both the Senate and in the House of Representatives...
of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, the presidential candidate whom Beard supported in 1844, who lost to James K. Polk
James K. Polk
James Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States . Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 17th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 12th Governor of Tennessee...
of Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
. The painting shows Clay relaxing in a chair in a country tavern as others watch his every move, he being nonchalant about the presence of the other guests. Beard later complained that Clay may have lost to Polk because Clay spent too much of his time campaigning in taverns. In early 2009, The Illustrious Guest was featured on the PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
television program, Antiques Roadshow
Antiques Roadshow
Antiques Roadshow is a British television show in which antiques appraisers travel to various regions of the United Kingdom to appraise antiques brought in by local people. It has been running since 1979...
. After viewing the program, art appraiser Alan Fausel was quoted as saying that the picture "could hang in an art museum". Rebecca Lawton, the curator of paintings and sculptures at the Amon Carter Museum
Amon Carter Museum
The Amon Carter Museum of American Art is located in Fort Worth, Texas. It was established by Amon G. Carter to house his collection of paintings and sculpture by Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. Carter’s will provided a museum in Fort Worth devoted to American art.When the museum opened...
in Fort Worth
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, said that she was intrigued by the painting when she saw it on PBS. Upon viewing the art piece in person, Lawton was able to place the painting in the museum.
External links
- http://www.s9.com/Biography/Beard-James-Henry
- http://cincinnatiartgalleries.com/painting/artist.aspx?id=ART2022
- http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=30970&int_modo=1
- http://www.askart.com/AskART/artists/search/Search_Repeat.aspx?searchtype=IMAGES&artist=23878