Hook, JAMES CLARKE

Hook, JAMES CLARKE, painter, was born in London on 21st November 1819, his mother being a daughter of Adam Clarke, the Biblical commentator. He entered as a student of the Royal Academy in 1836, gained the first medals in the Life and Painting Schools in 1842, and in 1845 was awarded the travelling studentship of the Royal Academy for 'Rizpah watching the Bodies of the Sons of Saul.' He returned home after a stay of eighteen months in Italy, and for some time painted scenes from Italian history and literature, mostly connected with Venice, together with some few suggested by Shakespeare's plays and the Bible. Most of these were romantic in feeling, dramatic in treatment, and brilliant in colouring. In 1850 Hook was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy, and ten years later full Academician. In the meantime he had begun to work at subjects connected with the lives of the people, more especially pieces illustrating seafaring life. His powers in this line of study, his most characteristic and his best, are illustrated by the 'Widow's Son going to Sea,' 'Ship-boy's Letter,' 'Coast-boy gathering Eggs,' 'Luff, Boy,' 'Carting for Farmer Pengelly,' 'Tickling Trout,' 'A Mermaid,' amongst many others. Mr Hook is also a skilful etcher. See the Art Journal Annual of 1888.