Professor Thomas Frederick Mason Sheard was an accomplished British painter of landscapes, portraits and figures. He’s particularly well-regarded for Middle Eastern subjects and also worked in Venice. He studied at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris under Gustave Courtois, Jules Lefebvre, Rixens, and Rigolot.

His works were shown at numerous high-profile exhibitions including the Royal Academy, Paris Salon, The Royal Society of British Artists, Royal Institute of Oil Painters, and the Exposition Universelle where he was awarded a medal.

Various public collections hold examples, such as the Witt Library of the Courtauld Institute.

Exhibited

Royal Academy, Paris Salon, The Royal Society of British Artists, Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, Brussels International Exhibition, Exposition Universelle in Paris.

Public Collections

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Witt Library of the Courtauld Institute, Magdalen College, Baroda State Museum and Picture Gallery.

Timeline

1866

Born in Oxford to Thomas John Walker Sheard and Anna Maria Sheard (nee Mason).

1871

Lived in Marsh Baldon, Oxfordshire, with the Whichele family. It appears that his Aunt Mary Ann Sheard was their governess.

1881

Lived in Oxford with his father, siblings, and aunt.

Studied at Magdalen College, Oxford.

1886

Matriculated at Keble College, Oxford.

1891

Debuted at the Royal Academy with ‘An Autumn Day In The Allotments’.

C. 1889

Studied at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris under Gustave Courtois, Jules Lefebvre, Rixens, and Rigolot.

1900

Awarded a medal at the Exposition Universelle in Paris.

1901

In the census, he’s recorded as a visitor in Chelsea with the sculptor Frank Lynn Jenkins (1870-1927) and the architect Gilbert Henry Jenkins. They had a housekeeper, Annie J Orton.
Married Mabel Harrison in Wanstead, London.

Moved to Monks Farm in East Hendred, Wantage, Oxfordshire.

1902

Produced a wall painting for Fringford Church in Bicester.

1905

His son Thomas Benvenuto Francis Sheard was born in Sportigallo, Italy.

1911

Lived in Kensington, London, with his wife, two children and a servant.

1915

Appointed Professor of Art at Queen's College, London.

1921

Died in Wantage, Berkshire.
Retrospective held at The Royal Society of British Artists in his honour.