The painting titled The Last Muster, completed in 1875, sold for twelve hundred pounds to CE Fry when Hubert von Herkomer was only twenty-four years old. This achievement marked his emergence as a significant figure in the British art scene, reflecting a trajectory that moved from early poverty to established success within the Royal Academy of Arts.
Early Development and Migration
Born in 1849 in Waal, Kingdom of Bavaria, Hubert von Herkomer was the son of Lorenz Herkomer, a skilled wood-carver. The family relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1851 before settling in Southampton in 1857. His formal training began at the local school of art, followed by studies in Munich and later at the South Kensington Schools in 1866. Despite childhood financial instability, he developed early technical proficiency in water-colour and mechanical toy construction.
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In 1869, Herkomer exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts and began contributing illustrations to the newspaper The Graphic. He became a naturalized British subject on 10 January 1872. His reputation grew with realistic depictions of working-class conditions, most notably in works such as Eventide: A Scene in the Westminster Union and Hard Times. By 1879, he achieved recognition as an associate of the Royal Academy, eventually becoming a full member in 1890.
Academic Leadership and Lululaund
Herkomer established an influential art school in Bushey, Hertfordshire, which operated from 1883 until 1904. His academic contributions included serving as the Slade Professor of Fine Art at the University of Oxford between 1885 and 1894. During this period, he constructed a residence named Lululaund, designed by Henry Hobson Richardson. The property featured a private theatre used for his musical compositions, plays, and early cinematic experiments.
Honours and Final Years
Over his career, Herkomer received numerous international distinctions, including the Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art, the Pour le Mérite, and the Legion of Honour. In 1901, he painted Queen Victoria on her deathbed at the request of King Edward VII, who later knighted him in 1907. Herkomer died in 1914 at Budleigh Salterton, leaving behind a diverse legacy as a painter, sculptor, and educator.
Fast facts
- Born: 1849, Waal
- Died: 1914, Budleigh Salterton
- Educated at: Royal College of Art
- Nationality: Kingdom of Bavaria, United Kingdom
- Key Role: Slade Professor of Fine Art (1885–1894)
- Significant Work: The Last Muster (1875)
- Knighted: 1907
- Notable Honours: Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts
Questions readers ask
What subjects did Herkomer paint?
He is recognized for portraits, landscapes, and figure subjects, with early works focusing on the realistic conditions of life for the poor.
Did he work in mediums other than painting?
Yes, he was active as a sculptor, etcher, mezzotint engraver, and illustrative draughtsman, while also composing music and directing films.
Achievements
- Knight of the Legion of Honour
