About the artist:

Henry John Sylvester Stannard RBA FRSA was the son of John Stannard of Eversholt, a painter "of no mean order" (Bedfordshire Times, 21st October 1882). Henry studied art at South Kensington, London. He quickly became known as a wildlife illustrator and was particularly famed for his illustrations of birds. His work was in sporting and wildlife books as well as a wide variety of journals including the Illustrated London News. Henry was particularly famed in Bedford for his art classes and his studio on the corner of Harpur and Dame Alice Street. Henry was elected to the Royal Society of British Artists in 1894 and he exhibited regularly there until his death in 1920. Henry died at his home in Harpur Place, Bedford.