William Henry Hunt (1790-1864). Watercolour painter of flowers, fruit, birds nests, and landscape (sometimes known as 'Bird's Nest Hunt'). Born London, son of a tin plate manufacture and japanner. Handicapped and had difficulty walking. In 1806 apprenticed to John Varley where he worked with William Mulready and his friend, John Linnell. Entered the Royal Academy Schools as a student in 1808. Early work involved oil paintings of interiors. With Linnell, became a member of the 'Monro Academy' in Adelphi Terrace through the patronage of Dr Thomas Monro who they visited in the evenings following sessions at the Royal Academy. First exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1807. Lived in Hastings for a time and painted landscape. Associate of the Old Water Colour-Society 1824, and a full Member in 1826. Early work influenced by Varley.
Hunt was the originator of a process which was new to water colour painting involving the use of body -colour, his work being very individual in style and involving fine stippling and hatching over a white ground. (see Witt, William Henry Hunt p.22). He Showed eleven works at the Exposition Universelle, Paris in 1855 and thirty seven works at the Manchester Art Treasures exhibition in 1857. Died 10 February 1864 and was buried in Highgate Cemetery (see Ruskin and Hunt).