Herbert Draper

Artist

Herbert Draper

Birth

November 26, 1863,

Birthplace

London,  England

Death

September 22, 1920

Place of Death

London

Gender

Male

Nationality

Britain

Movement

Classicism

Media

Painter

Herbert James Draper was born in London. He was educated at Bruce Castle before moving to the Royal Academy Schools, where he was awarded a gold medal and a travelling scholarship in 1889. In 1890 he travelled throughout Europe, spending time in Paris and Rome. Draper settled in London in 1891, and at about this time married Ida Williams daughter of a magistrate-they had one daughter. He specialised in paintings depicting mythological events, not dissimilar to the subjects which attracted J W Waterhouse. His picture The Lament for Icarus, was purchased by the Chantry Bequest in 1898. In 1900 Draper was awarded a gold medal at The International Exhibition in Paris for Icarus. He exhibited at the RA each year from 1887 until shortly before his death. Draper also had a lucrative society portrait painting practice, his aristocratic sitters including the Duchess of Abercorn. Another area of activity was decorative work including, appropriately, the ceiling of the Drapers Hall. Draper did not become even an ARA, which I find somewhat surprising, given his long association with the RA, and the quality of his work. He was though, a member of The Royal British Colonial Society, whose President for a number of years was Thomas Gotch. Draper’s paintings are in public galleries throughout Britain, South Africa, and Australia. In the mythological subject area his paintings include, as well as Lament for Icarus, Ulysses and The Sirens, The Kelpie, and The Vintage Morn. Herbert Draper had, in his lifetime, a considerable reputation, which declined rapidly, probably before his death. It is difficult to find much information about Draper the man, though it is a matter of record he attended the funeral of Waterhouse, his close neighbour, in 1917. His residence in St John’s Wood attests to his material success.