Collection: Herbert James Draper

Herbert James Draper (1863–1920) was an English Neoclassicist painter whose career spanned the Victorian era and the first two decades of the 20th century. Born in London, he studied art at the Royal Academy of London and undertook educational journeys to Rome and Paris between 1888 and 1892.

Draper began his professional work as an illustrator in 1890. His most productive period commenced in 1894, during which he primarily focused on mythological themes from ancient Greece, often depicting female figures inspired by classical literature. His painting The Lament for Icarus (1898) received a gold medal at the Paris Universal Exposition in 1900, typifying his engagement with grand mythological narratives. Another work, The Foam Sprite, dates from 1908.

During his lifetime, Draper received considerable recognition, particularly for his portraits. However, his fame diminished in his later years, especially as figurative art became less fashionable in the early 20th century. Interest in his work has seen a resurgence in the art market since the early 21st century.