James Blazeby was an English painter of animals predominantly known for horse portraiture. His style was somewhat ‘naive’, yet he forged a solid regional career, undertaking numerous commissions for patrons across the county. 

His earlier works tend to portray a variety of exceedingly rectangular oversized cattle, such as ‘Prize Shorthorn Heifers’ and ‘Mr McCombie's Prize Aberdeenshire Ox’. Artists of this nature were often urged to exaggerate the dimensions of such animals with each owner keen to convey their feeding prowess. 

His later horse portraits are comparable with his contemporaries in terms of composition and content, thus meeting the expectations of his eager clientele.

Little is known about his upbringing but it appears he began his career in earnest around 1850. His brother William was also an artist and the two of them worked tirelessly to support the family home following the death of their father in 1858. It appears he remained unmarried. His father was a cabinet maker.

Timeline

1828

Born in Norwich, Norfolk, to James Blazeby, a cabinet maker, and Maria Ann Blazeby (nee Cooper).

1841

Lived in Norwich St Peter Mancroft with his parents and three brothers.

1851

Lived in Norwich St Peter Mancroft with his parents and two brothers. Occupation recorded as ‘Animal Portrait Painter’. His brother, William, was also an artist.

1858

Death of father.

1861

Lived in Norwich St Peter Mancroft with his widowed mother, brother and two lodgers. Occupation recorded as ‘Animal Portrait Painter’. His mother worked as a ‘Hay Maker’.

1871

Lived in Norwich St Peter Mancroft with his widowed mother and brother. Occupation recorded as ‘Animal Painter’. His brother, William, lived next door with his wife and children. 

1889

Died in Norfolk.