Herbert Schmalz

I first became aware of, and interested in, Herbert Schmalz when I saw the painting below, Rabboni, which can be seen along with a few more of his works in Bramhall Hall, Stockport. I thought it was rather Pre-Raphaelite but nicely different, so decided to research into the artist. My searches resulted in finding not a great amount of work, but work of exceptional talent and beauty.

Rabboni

Herbert Gustave Schmalz was born in Ryton, Tyne and Wear, in 1856; the son of a German father and English mother. He studied at the South Kensington Art School, then at the Royal Academy with Frank Dicksee, Arthur hacker and Stanhope Forbes. He was friends with William Holman Hunt, Frederic Leighton and Val Prinsep.
Schmalz's best known works at the time were historical in theme, with strong influences from the Pre-Raphaelites, an influence which he retained throughout his life. After a trip to Jeruselam, a fashionable trip of the time and probably inspired by Holman Hunt, he produced many Biblical themed paintings, such as Return From Calvary, below.

Return From Calvary 1891

During the 1890's Schmalz turned increasingly to painting portraits and works of classical themes. He had his own solo exhibition in 1900 entitled 'A Dream Of Fair Women', at the Fine Art Society on Bond Street. After the First World War Schmalz changed his name to John Wilson Carmichael. He died in London in 1935.

Denise 1883

Too Late c.1884-6

The Great Awakening

Iphigenia

The Daughter of Jairus

The Awakening of Galatea