Hubert Von Herkomer

 

Self portrait of Herkomer. Reproduced with kind permission from Bushey Museum and Art Gallery.

Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies (Local Studies Library Collection)

 

Lululaund, named after Herkomer's second wife, Lulu Griffiths.

Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies (Local Studies Library Collection)

Sir Hubert von Herkomer (1849-1914) was one of the most successful artists of his day. He lived in Bushey for forty years, and founded the Herkomer Art School in 1883. He was knighted in 1907.

Herkomer was born in Bavaria, but emigrated as a child first to America, and then to England. After attending art school, he took up illustration and his etchings for The Graphic, depicting poverty and hardship, were collected by Van Gogh.

From 1869, he exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy, where in 1875 his painting of Chelsea Pensioners attending church, The Last Muster, won great acclaim.

Herkomer moved to Bushey in 1874. Disliking traditional art school methods, he established The Herkomer Art School to champion more progressive ideas – unusually, women were allowed to attend life drawing classes.

His house ‘Lululaund’ on Melbourne Road was a notable Bushey landmark. Designed in the style of a Bavarian castle it stood on a large site, including a dairy, smithy, carpenter’s shop, art studios, theatre and student accommodation.

Herkomer is buried in St James Church, Bushey.  Lululaund was demolished in 1939, but the arched entrance door survived and is now incorporated into a new housing development.