Henry Gillard Glindoni

Henry Gillard Glindoni (1852-1913) was born at Kennington Lane, one of a family of five who were left parentless at a very young age. His surname was originally Glindon; he changed it to Glindoni later for professional reasons.

From the age of 14 he had to fend for himself, which he did by taking various acting and painting jobs. He worked as a scene-painter for the theatre and augmenting his income by making sketches of actors and actresses with whom he appeared. He was also as a porcelain painter. He was encouraged to take up the study of art and studied at the Working Mens’ College and at the Castle Street School of Art.

Glindoni specialized in 17th and 18th century costumed scenes and was also known for his paintings of Cardinals. Of his work it has been said: ‘He cultivated the picturesque coupled often with sentimental dalliance’. He settled in Chadwell Heath some time after 1891 and lived in a new villa which still stands today at the junction ofMill LaneandWhalebone Lane North. In his spare moments he wandered round the fields painting local scenes.

Glindoni actively exhibited between 1872 to 1904, showing at the Royal Academy, Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers, Old Water Colour Society, Royal Water Colour Society and Society of British Artists inLondon, the Royal Society of Artists inBirmingham,WalkerArtGalleryin Liverpool andManchesterCityArtGallery. He became a full member of the Royal Society of British Artists in 1879 and an associate of the Royal Society of Painters in Water Colours in 1883.

He died on 20th November 1913, and was buried at St Edward’s Church, Romford.

Henry Gillard Glindoni’s works can be seen at Valence House Museum in London.
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