von Herkomer, Hubert, Sir, 1849 - 1914
Dates
- Existence: 26 May 1849 - 31 March 1914
Biography
Sir Hubert von Herkomer was a British painter, pioneering film maker and composer.
Hubert was born on 26 May 1849 in Waal, Bavaria. He was introduced to music at an early age by his mother, who was a music instructor and to art by his father who was an accomplished wood carver.
Hubert’s parents immigrated to the USA when he was two years old, by 1857 they had moved to the UK where the family settled.
Hubert studied art at Southampton, Munich and South Kensington School of Art and show great talent from a young age. He exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts in London for the first time at the age of twenty.
In 1874 Hubert moved to Bushey, Hertfordshire, where he run his own art school between 1884 and 1904. Ten years later he built a large house in the town, which housed his studio, art school and a theatre where Hubert gave concerts, produced dramatic plays and made and showed films. He became a pioneer filmmaker and directed several historical dramas, which he showed accompanied by his own music.
In 1885, Hubert was elected Slade Professor of Fine Art at the University of Oxford, a position he held until 1894.
In spite of his multiple talents he was best known throughout his life as an artist and his talent was officially recognised in many occasions. In 1879 he was elected associate member of the Royal Academy and in 1890 Royal Academician. In 1891 he became the first President of the Oxford Art Society. In 1894 he was made an associate of the Royal Watercolour Society. In 1899, King Otto of Bavaria made him ‘Ritter von Herkomer’ and a Knight of the Merit Order of the Bavarian Crown and the Emperor of Germany awarded him the Pour le Mérite award. In 1901, he was commissioned to paint the death portrait of Queen Victoria. He was made Commander of the Royal Victorian Order and in 1907, he received a knighthood from King Edward VII and an honorary degree as Doctor of Civil Law at Oxford.
Sir Hubert von Herkomer died on 31 March 1914 aged 65 years old.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
The Herkomer Theatre Programme, 9 - 20 January 1893
Red and black type and introduction to the programme on the front cover, inside programme for Gaston Boissier under the direction of Professor Herkomer. Pinted by Watford Observer Office, Queen Street, Watford, 2p.p.