Hal Hurst

• Name — Hal Hurst • Birth Name — Henry William Lowe Hurst • Born — 26 August 1865 • Birthplace — London, England • Died — 23 December 1938 • Occupation — Artist

• Illustration — Percy Groves in the Battle of Chillianwalla Born Henry William Lowe Hurst in London on 26 August 1865, he was the son of Henry Hurst, a well-known African traveller and publisher (Hurst and Blackett). He was educated at St. Paul's School in London and soon after started recording the political instability of Ireland through drawings and illustrations. He travelled to the United States of America where he found work illustrating newspapers in New York City and Philadelphia. Hal returned to Europe studying art at the Royal Academy Schools and the Académie Julian in Paris. He exhibited extensively at all the principal London galleries and was elected member of the Royal Society of British Artists in 1896, Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in 1898, and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 1900. He was a founder member of the Royal Miniature Society from its inception in 1896 and elected vice-president, a position he held until stepping down in 1913 – he was given the distinction of honorary member status the following year. Hal shared a studio at 23a South Audley Street, Mayfair, London with Alyn Williams founder of the Royal Miniature Society. An motivated, prolific and respected artist, Hal illustrated in excess of 20 published books including Mark Twain's The American Claimant. In addition, his illustrations were published in Punch, Harper's Weekly, Vanity Fair, The Idler and the Illustrated London News, amongst others. He married and had one son and two daughters with whom he lived at 9 Colville Mansions, Bayswater. He was the friend and neighbour of Douglas Sladen, the well-known author and travel writer, who also owned many of Hurst's paintings. Sladen described Hurst as being "a very clever artist" and having a "beautiful young wife." The National Art Library, London holds letters written by Hurst to Sir Isidore Spielmann and Reginald S. Hunt. Hal Hurst died on 23 December 1938.

• Exhibition of paintings & sketches by Hal Hurst, R.B.A. – The Modern Gallery (1899), London • "Facts and fancies" in oil and water colour by Hal Hurst, R.I., R.B.A. – The Dore Gallery, London • Exhibition of Water Colours by Hal Hurst, H.R.M.S., R.B.A., R.I – Winnipeg Art Gallery, Canada

• London of today together with some portraits by Hal Hurst, R.I., R.B.A., V.P.R.M.S. – The Dore Gallery, London • Exposition Universalle – Paris (1900)

The following works and productions are recorded by name or by count.