Background
James Ward was born on October 23, 1769 in London, United Kingdom. He was a son of James Ward and Rachael Ward. Also, James had several siblings, most notable of whom was William Ward, also an engraver.
James Ward was born on October 23, 1769 in London, United Kingdom. He was a son of James Ward and Rachael Ward. Also, James had several siblings, most notable of whom was William Ward, also an engraver.
At the age of twelve, James was an apprentice of John Raphael Smith, but he received little attention and learnt nothing from his lessons. Some time later, Ward became a pupil of his elder brother, William Ward, and studied under his tutelage for more than seven years.
James Ward's early productions were rustic subjects in the manner of George Morland, which were frequently sold as the works of the more celebrated painter. In 1797, his work "Bull-Bait", an animated composition, introducing many figures, attracted much attention in the Royal Academy.
In 1800, Ward was commissioned by the Board of Agriculture to create a series of animal portraits, recording the various breeds of livestock in Britain. This scheme had a huge impact on Ward’s work, introducing him to a group of wealthy patrons, who commissioned many works from him. The work also required Ward to travel extensively, and thus presented him with vast inspiration for his studies.
In 1810, the artist began to paint horses within landscapes. Some time later, he turned his attention to large-scale landscapes. Later in his career, a commission from Sir John Sinclair, who was a president of the new agricultural society, to paint an Alderney cow, turned Ward's attention fully to animal painting, a domain, in which he achieved his highest artistic success.
During the period from 1815 till 1821, Ward worked on a huge work, entitled "Allegory of Waterloo". Throughout his artistic career, James also created portraits. One of Ward's best-known portraits was his "Theophilus Levett hunting at Wychnor, Staffordshire". Another one famous was his work, entitled "The Reverend Thomas Levett and his favourite dogs, cock-shooting".
Gordale Scar
(A View of Gordale, in the Manor of East Malham in Craven,...)
Sheep by a Stream
Portrait of a Young Man
Pigs
A Chestnut Stallion in the Grounds of Powis Castle
Two Studies of Children
Cattle-Piece, Marylebone Park
View in Tabley Park
Landscape with Cattle
Sir John Leicester, Bt, Exercising His Regiment of Cheshire Yeomanry on the Sands at Liverpool
The Deer Stealer
Pegwell Bay, near Ramsgate
A Chinese Sow
The Moment
The Black Horse
Sheep Salving
Cattle
Reculver Church, Isle of Thanet, Kent
The Watering Place
Huntsmen Drawing Covert
The Fall of Phaëton
Portraits of Blackthorn, a Broodmare, with Old Jack, a Favourite Pony, the Property of E. Mundy, Esq.
Peasants Snowballing
L'Amour de Cheval
Dog's Head
Two Extraordinary Oxen, the Property of the Earl of Powis
Landscape with Sheep
Jerry Hudson, a Farm Labourer, with a Longhorn Cow
Harlech Castle
The Triumph of the Duke of Wellington (sketch)
Fight between a Lion and a Tiger
Fighting Horses
Leicestershire Longhorn Bull
James Ward
The Ladies Elizabeth and Georgiana Stanhope
Donkey and Pigs
A Bacchanalian
An Extensive Landscape with a Windmill
Bay Hunter
Hereford Bull with Sheep by a Haystack
The Morning Grey
An Overshot Mill in Wales (Aberdulais)
A Spaniel Frightening Ducks
Interior of a Stable
River Landscape with Bridge, Figures and Cattle
The Eildon Hills and the Tweed
'Walton'
The Swineherd
Heifer
Beef
Lord Stanhope, Riding a Pony
Horse and Donkey
'Fanny', a Favourite Dog
The Battle of Marston Moor, 1644
The Effect of Disobedience
Cow and Calf
Cow in Barn
A Grey in a Stable
Pigs
Mrs William Theobald, née Sarah Cooke
Dalmatian Dogs
'Rockingham', with His Owner, John Theobald, and Jockey, Jem Robinson
Cattle
Storm
Gordale Scar
Sleeping Lioness
Sheep on the Downs
Double Portrait of Henrietta Ward's Pet Guinea Pig
'Guy Mannering', A Race Horse
William Lynn
Michael Bryan and His Family
'Haphazard'
Dead Hare
Melrose Abbey
Bulls Fighting, with a View of Donatt's Castle, Glamorganshire
A Suffolk Carthorse
'Hambletonian' Beating 'Diamond'
'Dr Syntax'
Sir John Fleming Leicester
The Devonshire Ox
Disobedience in Danger
Roan Shorthorn Cow
Intruder
Mary Hill, Aged 88, Seated with Children
The Descent of the Swan
Duckweeds
Coast Scene
James was elected an associate of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1807. Some time later, in 1811, he was made a full member.
James was married twice. In 1794, Mary Ann Ward became his first wife. Their marriage produced several chidlren, including Matilda Louisa Ward and George Raphael Ward, a painter. In 1827, James married Charlotte Fritche, who was probably a relative of his first wife.
Also, Ward was a paternal grandfather of Henrietta Ward, a painter, and a great-grandfather of Leslie Ward, a caricaturist.