Henry Bird (1909 - 2000) was Northamptons best known artist. He was a painter notably of murals, portraits and theatre scenery, a draughtsman and teacher. Along with his family he had experienced great hardship after his father, disillusioned after his return from the first world war, committed suicide, but Henry rose to be lionised by aristocracy and the art establishment. Encouraged to study art by Lewis Duckett the then principal at Northampton Art College , Bird took the government certificate in drawing and painting, was placed in the first six in England and Wales, and gained a scholarship to the Royal College of Art, where he won most of the big prizes, including a travelling scholarship. Some of the early influences, such as Frank Brangwyn and Tiepolo, never left him. He had an affinity with Rubens for example, whose plump children and women he particularly admired. He married Freda Jackson, the actress and former squeeze of Errol Flynn, after meeting her at the Northampton Repertory Theatre. Fredas distinguished stage career included major roles in London and the provinces, many film appearances ranging from Henry V and No Room at the Inn, to Brides of Dracula Henry became head scenery painter at the Old Vic and Sadlers wells, the Embassy Theatre and also did work for Londons Guildhall. An exceptional craftsmen his work has been shown at Tate Gallery and the Victoria & Albert Museum. He had many solo and group shows in London. At 73 Bird gained a Civil List Pension for services to art, a rare and uncommon honour awarded at the discretion of the Queen.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 07:11:35 +0000
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