The English Farmyard

John F. Herring, Jr. was born in Doncaster c.1820, to the well-known 19th century artist John F. Herring, Sr. Herring, Sr., at that time, was considered one of England’s greatest Sporting and Equestrian artists and was therefore patronized by the English aristocracy. His mastery of the brush and popularity among the nobles served his son, Herring, Jr., well. Early on he was exposed to fine painting and wealthy patrons.

It has been stated in a number of recent reference books that Herring, Sr.’s first child was named John Frederick Herring, Jr. and was born on June 21, 1815 and baptized on October 22, 1815. However another child was born in 1820 and also named John Frederick Herring, Jr. (baptized in 1821). The assumption is that the first Herring child died and the second, born in 1820, is the artist we know of today.

It is no surprise that Herring, Jr. developed a love for painting – a passion that was also shared by his brothers Charles and Benjamin. Three of Herring, Sr.’s four sons became artists and painted in the same style as their father – often collaborating on a single painting.

In the years after 1836, Herring, Sr., feeling threatened by Herring, Jr.’s abilities and growing popularity, began incorporating the ‘SR’ at the end of his signature.

Herring, Jr. continued to paint, in the tradition of his father, sporting and animal pictures, however as his artistic prowess developed his style changed – loosening his brushwork and widening his views. The placement of farm animals at the banks of a stream or in a farmyard were characteristic of his work.

Herring, Jr. married Kate Rolfe, an artist herself and the daughter of Alexander Rolfe, the English angling and sporting artist. Herring, Jr. would, at times, collaborate with his father-in-law, as well as other artists - painting the animals in their works.

During his lifetime Herring exhibited at all the major exhibition halls including the Royal Academy, where he exhibited: The Farm – Autumn (1863), Farm-yard (1864), Watering the Team (1869), The Homestead (1871) and A Farm yard (1872) among others.

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John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) The Watering Hole Oil on canvas 12 x 16 inches Signed One of a pair.	John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) End of Day Oil on canvas 12 x 16 inches Signed One of a pair.
John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) Farmyard Friends Oil on canvas 30 x 50 inches Signed
John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) Farmyard Scene Oil on canvas 16 x 24 inches Signed	John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) The Close of the Day Oil on canvas 16 x 24 inches Signed
John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) Horse and Poultry in a Barn Oil on canvas 15 x 20 inches Signed
John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) At the Watering Hole Oil on canvas 16 inch diameter Signed and dated 1852 One of a pair	John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) The Hay Trough Oil on canvas 16 inch diameter Signed and dated 1852 One of a pair
John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) Farmyard Oil on canvas 18 x 24 inches Signed and dated 1854
John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) The Watering Hole Oil on canvas 12 x 16 inches Signed	John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) At the Watering Spot Oil on canvas 12 x 16 inches
John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) Barnyard Interior Oil on canvas 16 x 27 inches Signed
John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) Farmyard Oil on canvas 12 x 18 inches Signed	John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) Horses in a Farmyard Oil on canvas 12 x 18 inches Signed
John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) Farmyard Oil on canvas 24 1/2 x 39 inches Signed
John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) The Barnyard, Meopham Oil on canvas 16 x 24 inches Signed	John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) Farmyard Friends Oil on canvas 12 x 18 inches Signed
John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) Farmyard Friends Oil on canvas 31 x 39 inches Signed
John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) Fox Hunt Passing the Farm Oil on canvas 16 x 24 inches Signed	John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) Farmyard Scene Oil on canvas 28 x 44 inches Signed
John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) Afternoon Meal Oil on canvas 21 x 30 inches Signed and dated 1842
John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) Horses and Poultry in a Paddock Oil on canvas 12 x 18 inches Signed	John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) Preparing for the Hunt Oil on canvas 16 x 24 inches Signed
John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) Outside the Barn Oil on canvas 24 x 36 inches Signed	John F. Herring, Jr. (c. 1820 - 1907) Horses in a Farmyard Oil on canvas 23 1/2 x 35 1/2 inches Signed