James Clarke Hook R.A , H.F.R.P.E
(1819-1907)
James Clark Hook was a painter of genre scenes, historical subjects, coastal scenes and landscapes. As a pupil, Hook studied with the portrait painter John Jackson and then at the Royal Academy Schools in 1836.// In 1839, Hook made his debut at the Royal Academy with a painting entitled The Hard Task. Practising Without Diploma was exhibited at the RA in 1895. In 1844 he won a Gold Medal in the Houses of Parliament Competition and in 1845, he won a three-year travelling prize which he spent in Italy and France.
Hook was much influenced by the rich colours of the Venetian painters and his paintings are consequently suffused with warm, strong colours.
On his return from his travels, Hook painted rustic genre scenes, historical subjects and Shakespearean subjects which were much praised by Ruskin. He then began painting coastal scenes and seascapes.
From 1839 to 1902, Hook exhibited at the Royal Academy and was elected an Academician in 1860. He also exhibited at the British Institution and was an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Painters and Etchers.
Museums:
Birmingham
Bristol
Hamburg
Leicester
London Tate Britain Gallery
Manchester
Preston
Sydney