Lot Essay
James S. Harris was born in Exeter in 1810 and died in Reynoldston, Glamorganshire on June 19, 1887. He was the elder son of John Harris, a carver, gilder and also a painter. In about 1828 his family moved to Swansea. James went to London sometime in the mid-1830's where Calvert Jones introduced him to George Chambers, in whose studio James is said to have worked for a time. As well as a painter he is said to have been a seaman on cooper ore ships.
On his father's death in 1836 he returned to Swansea to help his mother with the business of picture framing and supplying artists' materials. In 1882 he retired and moved to Reynoldston, where Edward Duncan was a regular visitor. He exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1859 and 1862.
On his father's death in 1836 he returned to Swansea to help his mother with the business of picture framing and supplying artists' materials. In 1882 he retired and moved to Reynoldston, where Edward Duncan was a regular visitor. He exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1859 and 1862.