Isaac Henzell RBA was an accomplished British artist predominantly known for genre scenes.
Born in Sheffield, to a merchant, Henzell's formative years were likely rather challenging following the premature death of his mother. Little is known about his childhood or training but the census of 1841 records him as boarding in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Here, he began his career as an artist, producing portraits from the town’s Grainger Street.
In 1842, he married Nancy Hemy, of the highly-regarded Hemy family of musicians, and it appears that his marriage provided the catalyst for his growth as an artist. A year later, he turned to genre subjects, an area he excelled in, and over time he began to develop a solid local reputation.
From the start, Henzell had a talent for scenes, especially those with a sentimental narrative. Girls carry baskets laden with produce, while barefooted fisherfolk gather optimistically on shores. Intriguingly, many of these paintings feature what appears to be the same red-headed girl - from 1843 through to 1873. She retains her youthful appearance, untarnished by time, so evidently he was working predominantly from earlier sketches. It’s also interesting that very few of his scenes depict male subjects.
In 1852, together with his wife, son and daughter, he undertook a gruelling trip to Australia. It’s likely that they lived together in Melbourne where the conditions were intolerable and lawless. Other members of the Hemy family had emigrated some two years earlier in search of gold. Tragically, Henzell’s nine-year-old son died in Collingwood, Victoria, within four months of arrival. They were back in England by 1854.
Once returned, his career gathered further traction following his debut at the British Institution, Royal Academy, and the Society of British Artists. He was elected a member of the latter in 1855 and it’s where the mainstay of his works were shown. It appears he remained in London until 1865 before moving to Tyneside and then back to the capital, where he died in 1876.
Today, Isaac Henzell RBA is represented in numerous public collections including the Bolton Museum, Laing Art Gallery, Reading Museum, and the Shipley Art Gallery. This piece was previously sold at Christie's, New York, in 1986 and Bonhams, London, in 2004.
Exhibited
Royal Academy, British Institution, Royal Society of British Artists.
Public Collections
Bolton Museum and Art Gallery, Ferens Art Gallery, Laing Art Gallery, Reading Museum, Shipley Art Gallery, York Art Gallery.
Timeline
1814
Born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, to Isaac Henzell, a merchant and manufacturer, and Ann Henzell (nee Sills).
1841
Boarded in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne with Elizabeth Robson, a lady of independent means, and Alice Hall.
1842
Married Nancy Hemy.
1851
Boarded in Tynemouth, Northumberland, with Mary Bailey and her son. Occupation recorded as ‘Artist’.
1852
Moved to Australia with his wife and two children, travelling to Sydney.
Lived on The Strand, London, then New Hampstead Road, the Fulham before 1861.
1854
Debuted at the British Institution with ‘The Fisherman’s Daughter’.
Debuted at the Royal Academy with ‘Seaside Rustics’.
Debuted at the Society of British Artists with ‘Sea-side Life’, ‘Grandfather’, and ‘Fresh Fish’.
1855
Elected a member of the Society of British Artists.
1861
Lived in Fulham, London, with his wife Mary, daughter and sister in law. Occupation recorded as ‘Painter’.
1871
Lived in Newcastle with his wife Mary, daughter and sister-in-law. Occupation recorded as ‘Artist in Pictures’.
1876
Died in Acton, London.
Obituaries
Illustrated London News
“On the 5th inst. died Mr. Isaac Henzell late of Newcastle-on-Tyne, aged sixty-five. During many years Mr. Henzell was a contributor to the exhibitions of the Society of British Artists, his subjects being of a rustic character, popularly treated.”