Landscape Oil Painting of Figures Harvesting Near Hastings by Henry H Parker

Henry H Parker

British, (1858-1930)

Harvesting near Hastings

Oil on canvas, signed, further signed & inscribed verso

Image size: 16.5 inches x 12.5 inches

Size including frame: 23.25 inches x 19.25 inches

A charming landscape scene of figures harvesting near Hastings by Henry H Parker. In the foreground a harvester is depicted stacking sheaves of wheat into a shock near some trees. Meanwhile, in the middle of the field behind them, a farmworker loads the sheaves onto a cart as another steadies the horses.

Henry Parker was born in the St Pancras area of London on 27 June, 1860 and was christened Henry Deacon Hillier (or Hillyer) Parker. His parents were Thomas, a draughtsman and lithographer and Lucy Parker. The family lived in Gillies Street, St Pancras.

He studied at the St Martin’s School of Art and initially started his working life as an Illustrator for the Illustrated London News. However, by the age of 23 he had become known as a landscape painter. He married Charlotte Eliza Wilson in June, 1888 and together they had six children. His son Frederick became a draughtsman. He spent most of his adult life in Tottenham living at Elmer Road and later 13 Somerset Road. He died in London on 12 June, 1930.

Parker mainly painted rustic views of the South East of England, in Surrey, Sussex and Kent as well as views of the Thames. He also painted in Worcestershire and Wales. As well as signing his paintings Henry H Parker, he also painted under the pseudonyms of H D Hillier and possibly HD Hillyer. It is believed he used a pseudonym because of contractual obligations to a London gallery. In addition to being known as Henry Hillier Parker, he is also sometimes referred to as Henry Hillingford Parker.

His style, with its quick and impressionistic brush strokes has often been compared to B. W. Leader. Like many of his contemporaries, he concentrated on painting "pure" landscapes, a genre that he mastered early in his career. His landscapes are lush and tranquil, frequently featuring figures in a cornfield, on a boat or walking down a country path. The scenes are often sunny and bright and the waters are calm and soothing.

Parker is one of the few top calibre artists who does not appear to have exhibited in England, although his works appear frequently on the market and are as popular today as they were in his lifetime. Examples of his work are held by the Hartlepool Museum, Haworth Art Gallery, Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, University of Oxford and the Williamson Art Gallery. A number of Museums and art galleries across the world also have his paintings on display including St. James’s Museum, Montreal, Auckland Museum and the Melbourne Gallery.

Presentation: The work is housed in a new, English made gilt frame which is in excellent condition.

Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished.

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