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Henry George Todd1846 - 1898

Still Life with Roses & Fruit on a Marble Ledge

Stock code: C3856
Signed & dated 1891
Oil on canvas,
24 x 20 ins / 61 x 50.8 cm
Price category: C: £10,000 - £15,000

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Henry George Todd was born in Bury St Edmunds, in Suffolk. His father, Arthur Todd, owned a large decorating business which specialised in ceilings and murals, most of his work was executed in West Suffolk. When Todd reached the age of 18, it was decided that he should attend art school where he could develop his artistic talent. He subsequently enrolled at the Royal Kensington School of Art, where he studied painting and drawing, and became a great admirer of the Dutch Masters.

At the age of 22 Henry Todd returned to Suffolk, where he entered the family business, working in design,decoration and gilding. After a few years in Bury Todd left for Ipswich where he obtained a position with Stearns - the most important decorating company in the town.

Although Todd was working full time he still found time to paint his still life pictures and Suffolk landscapes.He was always very sensitive about his work and the slightest criticism would cause him to either defer the work or in exceptional circumstances completely erase it. His independent mind and stubborn nature were said to have hampered his prosperity; he made little attempt to solicit patrons.

In his day he was said to be one of the finest grape painters His work has a quality reminiscent of the Dutch School. Todd's early works have been confused with those of Ladell. Henry George Todd exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1888 and at the Ipswich Fine Art Society from 1875 to 1897.