Architectural Study by Henry Woods RA

Architectural Study by Henry Woods RA

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HENRY WOODS, RA
(1846-1921)

Architectural Study

Signed l.r.
Oil on board
Framed

31 by 20 cm., 12 ¼ by 8 in.
(frame size 40.5 by 29.5 cm., 16 by 11 ¾ in.)

Provenance:
Direct descent from the family of Sir Samuel Luke Fildes, RA.

Henry Woods was born in Warrington, Cheshire, the son of a pawnbroker. He initially studied at Warrington School before moving to London and entering the South Kensington School of Art in 1865. Whilst at South Kensington one of his fellow student was Luke Fildes who was to become a life-long friend. Fildes was to become his brother-in-law when he married Woods’ sister in 1874. They both became illustrators for The Graphic in 1869 and he also showed his first picture at the Royal Academy that same year. From then onward he was a regular exhibitor there, becoming an Associate Member in 1882 and a full member in 1893.

In 1876 Woods made his first to Italy and he was to spend much of his life living there with only occasional return trips to England. In Italy he became friends with the group of artists which included Eugene de Blass, Cecil van Haanen and Ludwig Passini. He also befriended Sargent who was there at that time and met Whistler who introduced him to the Russian artist Alexandre Nicolaievitch Roussoff. Italy, particularly Venice, was to provide him with the subject matter for much of his work, taking a studio overlooking the Grand Canal near the church of San Maurizio. He died at his easel in 1921 and is buried in the Protestant cemetery in his beloved Venice.

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