Harry Rutherford (1903-1985)

Harry Rutherford was born in Denton, Manchester in 1903. Harry displayed an early talent for art and was encouraged by his father, William Rutherford a hatter by trade but also a keen amateur artist. Harry studied at Hyde School of Art and after leaving secondary school enrolled at Manchester Art School under the guidance of Adolphe Valette, who also taught L S Lowry. In 1925 Harry joined Walter Sickert’s Art School in Manchester and they became good friends. Sickert clearly had a lifelong influence on Harry as translated in his works. In 1903 Harry moved to Cornwall and devoted most his time to painting, he worked alongside Ernest and Dod Procter. Whilst at Newlyn he produced a work of Penzance which became the first painting to be accepted by the Royal Academy. This gained attention from the Duke of Devonshire who commissioned Harry to paint the Chatsworth Estate. In 1932, Harry moved to London where further opportunities arose; in the BBC programme ‘Cabaret Cartoons’ Harry would rapidly sketch TV guests and performers on the show. Harry later went on to present his own show called ‘Sketchbook’ in 1950-1956. By this time, Harry was living back in Hyde and he was made president of the Manchester Academy, a position he proudly held for eight years. Harry exhibited works throughout his life at the New English Art Club, the Royal Society of British Artists, the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and the Paris Salon. Harry Rutherfords’ works can be found in public and private collections throughout the UK.