Herbert Draper

Herbert James Draper painted scenes from Greek myth and the sea: nymphs, sirens and sea spirits, often shown on rocky shores or in swirling waves, with glowing skin, flowing hair and rich blue-green water. His drawing is excellent, and his pictures have a dreamy, romantic mood.

He was born in London in 1863, trained at the Royal Academy Schools and won a travelling studentship that took him to Rome and Paris. His Lament for Icarus of 1898 won a gold medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1900 and is at Tate Britain. Other well known pictures include Ulysses and the Sirens and The Kelpie. He also painted a ceiling for the Drapers’ Hall in London.

Day and the Dawnstar, Halcyone and Flying Fish show his love of figures floating in light and water. He died in London in 1920.