Wright Barker

1864 – 1941

Exhibited 1885 – 1935

Figure painter who was based originally in Bradford, where he lived until 1885, when he moved to Edwinstowe, near Mansfield, Nottingham. In 1901 he moved to Hampstead and then back north to Harrogate where he stayed until his death. In his later years he became a picture dealer, but in his will he referred to himself as ‘animal painter’.

He became a member of the Royal Society of British Artists in 1896. Although he called himself an animal painter he is also known to have painted ‘Roman Maidens’, in a Pre-Raphaelite style, and large portraits, mainly on very large canvases. He also painted hunting scenes, mainly of his local Rufford Hunt.

He always signed his work with a very bold signature in full and sometimes with a date.

Exhibited at:
Royal society of Artists, Birmingham x 1
Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool x 4
Manchester city Art gallery x 1
Nottingham Museum and Art Gallery x 5
New Gallery x 1
Royal Academy x 22
Royal Society of British Artists x 28
Royal Scottish Academy x 1