William Henry Hunt (1790 - 1864) was born in London. In his early years he painted mainly in oil, but later switched to watercolour. With the latter he became famous and highly regarded as an artist. The young Hunt was a very sickly child. He suffered from deformed legs and was always a little too small and weak for his age. So it was clear early on that normal or physical work would not be an option for him. Instead, he showed interest in painting. At the age of 14, he began his artistic training with the painter John Valery, with whom he remained as a student for about seven years. Another well-known student of Valey, with whom Hunt became friends, was John Linnell.
With Linnell, the young Hunt liked to move to the surrounding towns around London to draw together. Due to his physical condition, Hunt was not able to travel particularly long distances. So they chose places that were easy for him to reach. Hunt worked with Linnell for several years. Later he met Thomas Monro, a well-known medical doctor and art collector. His friendship with Monro became closer and closer over time. The influential art patron even invited Hunt to live and paint with him for a month. He was even willing to pay Hunt for the sketches he made there. Hunt's entry into watercolor painting was rather hesitant. But soon he developed a good instinct and is regarded as one of the founders of the English school of watercolour painting.
The motifs were often very simple and unagitated, but they convinced with a very realistic and at the same time delicate depiction of his motifs. For example, he painted various bird's nests in such detail that he was nicknamed Bird's Nest. His contemporaries called him the master of still life. His most active phase was in the 1830s until about the mid-1850s. During this phase Hunt was so productive that up to 30 of his paintings were sometimes exhibited at the same time. Among the characteristic works of Hunt are "Boy with a Goat", "Primroses and Bird's Nests" or "Christmas Pie". He died at the age of 73 after a stroke.
William Henry Hunt (1790 - 1864) was born in London. In his early years he painted mainly in oil, but later switched to watercolour. With the latter he became famous and highly regarded as an artist. The young Hunt was a very sickly child. He suffered from deformed legs and was always a little too small and weak for his age. So it was clear early on that normal or physical work would not be an option for him. Instead, he showed interest in painting. At the age of 14, he began his artistic training with the painter John Valery, with whom he remained as a student for about seven years. Another well-known student of Valey, with whom Hunt became friends, was John Linnell.
With Linnell, the young Hunt liked to move to the surrounding towns around London to draw together. Due to his physical condition, Hunt was not able to travel particularly long distances. So they chose places that were easy for him to reach. Hunt worked with Linnell for several years. Later he met Thomas Monro, a well-known medical doctor and art collector. His friendship with Monro became closer and closer over time. The influential art patron even invited Hunt to live and paint with him for a month. He was even willing to pay Hunt for the sketches he made there. Hunt's entry into watercolor painting was rather hesitant. But soon he developed a good instinct and is regarded as one of the founders of the English school of watercolour painting.
The motifs were often very simple and unagitated, but they convinced with a very realistic and at the same time delicate depiction of his motifs. For example, he painted various bird's nests in such detail that he was nicknamed Bird's Nest. His contemporaries called him the master of still life. His most active phase was in the 1830s until about the mid-1850s. During this phase Hunt was so productive that up to 30 of his paintings were sometimes exhibited at the same time. Among the characteristic works of Hunt are "Boy with a Goat", "Primroses and Bird's Nests" or "Christmas Pie". He died at the age of 73 after a stroke.
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