Sir Francis Seymour Haden

The son of a celebrated doctor, Francis Seymour Haden studied medicine in London, Paris and Grenoble, and eventually took over his father's London practice. He was appointed consultant surgeon to the Queen's Chapel. He made a number of interesting sketches on a journey to Italy in 1843-1844, and began producing etchings in 1858, thanks to his friendship with Whistler, who was to become his brother-in-law. He established a reputation in France, where an edition of his works contained an admiring foreword by Philippe Burty. English art-lovers soon added their acclaim. Haden took part in the Paris World's Fair of 1889 and the 1900 Exposition Universelle, winning a top prize at each. He founded the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers in 1880; he was also a member of the Society of Miniature Painters, and a corresponding member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in France. Seymour Haden ranked among the leading artists of his day. His bold, powerful handling was inspired by Rembrandt, of whose etchings he was a noted collector, although his compositions and style are highly individual. Haden was the author of a small number of works on the art of etching, and produced a scholarly catalogue for an exhibition of Rembrandt's etchings at the Burlington Fine Arts Club in 1877.

"SEYMOUR HADEN, Francis." In Benezit Dictionary of Artists. Oxford Art Online, http://www.oxfordartonline.com.proxy.lib.fsu.edu/subscriber/article/benezit/B00168284 (accessed May 1, 2012).