Thomas Hovenden was an Irish historical and genre painter.
Background
Hovenden was born in Dunmanway, Co. Cork, Ireland in 1840. His father, Robert Hovenden, keeper of the bridewell at Dunmanway, was of English descent; his mother's maiden name was Ellen Bryan. Both parents died when he was six, and he was placed in the Cork orphanage.
Education
At fourteen he was apprenticed to a "carver and gilder" of Cork with whom he served a seven years' apprenticeship. His master, recognizing the boy's talent for drawing, sent him to the Cork School of Design. Coming to America in 1863, Hovenden continued his training in New York at the School of the National Academy of Design. In 1874 he went to Paris for further study, remaining for six years and entering the École des Beaux-Arts, where he worked under Cabanel.
Career
Once more in America, he had a studio in New York for a time but came to be more permanently associated with Philadelphia, where he taught in the school of the Pennsylvania Academy. In his teaching, as in his own painting, Hovenden remained the man formed by the academic school of France. The fineness and warmth of his personality, however, united with a conscientious effort to help his pupils, caused him to be greatly respected by them. Among their number, one may recall the name of Robert Henri. He met his death while trying to save a little girl who was in front of a railroad train near Norristown, Pa.
Achievements
Membership
Hovenden was elected to the National Academy in 1882.
Connections
In 1881 he married a talented young American artist, Helen Corson; their daughter, Martha Hovenden, became a painter of merit.