Henry Sandham

1842 - 1910

Quick Facts

  • Top 3 works:
    • Hunters Returning with their Spoil
    • Beacon Light, Saint John Harbour
    • Evening on the Wharf
  • Lifespan: 68 years
  • Top-ranked work: Hunters Returning with their Spoil
  • Nationality: Canada
  • Color intensity: balanced
  • Died: 1910

A Life in Visual Arts

Henry Sandham was a Canadian painter, illustrator, and photographer who began his artistic journey at a young age. He was employed in the photographic studio of William Notman in Montreal starting in 1864. After serving as an assistant to John Arthur Fraser, Sandham eventually became the head of the studio's art department. By 1877, he entered into a partnership with Notman, forming the studio known as Sandham & Notman. He was particularly noted for developing a technique for composite photographs, which involved mounting carefully posed individuals onto painted backgrounds. One such complex composition, featuring over 300 separate people, was recognized at the 1878 Exposition Universelle in Paris.

Illustrations and Later Career

Sandham's career expanded into illustration, including work for Scribner's Monthly and assignments for The Century Magazine. His illustrations for a study of Mission Indians in Southern California eventually served as the basis for the novel Ramona. As a painter, his repertoire included portraits, such as one of John A. Macdonald, and historic works like his mural The Birth of Liberty.

After moving to Boston, he focused more heavily on fine art, exhibiting with the Boston Art Club and the American Watercolor Society of New York. His career later took him to London, where his works were shown at the Royal Academy of Arts. He is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery.

Questions & Answers

How do I find works by Henry Sandham in a specific palette?

To find works by Henry Sandham in a specific palette, use the artist's By Palettes page.

Where are Henry Sandham's artworks organized by color?

The Spectral Index page organizes Henry Sandham's artworks by color.

Where can I see Henry Sandham's artworks in a 3D gallery?

Henry Sandham's artworks can be seen in a 3D gallery on the artist's 3D Museum page.

Art Quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
In which city was Henry Sandham born?
Question 2:
Which artist's studio did Sandham work in starting in 1864?
Question 3:
What was the name of the studio formed by Sandham and Notman between 1877 and 1882?
Question 4:
Sandham's illustrations for an assignment in Southern California eventually formed the basis for which famous novel?
Question 5:
Which organization was Sandham named a charter member of in 1880?