Hunt, William Henry (1790-1864)

British Plums, a still life by English watercolour painter William Henry Hunt. Catching these plums at just the moment when they were picked, Hunt has preserved the look of the bloom on the fruit, and has fixed them in an autumn scene by including ripe rose hips. It was natural subjects such as this which earned him his nickname ‘Hedgerow Hunt’.

English watercolour painter. He painted some landscapes and humorous rustic subjects, but is mainly noted for the minutely detailed watercolours of fruit and flowers produced in his later years.

Born in London, he studied with John Varley and became a prominent member of the Royal Water Colour Society. His nature studies, highly praised by John Ruskin, earned Hunt the names ‘Bird's-nest Hunt’ and ‘Hedgerow Hunt’.

Hunt, William Henry (1823-1884)

US jurist who served as secretary of the navy 1881-82 when he appointed the first naval advisory board. He was US ambassador to Russia 1882-84.

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, he practiced law in New Orleans 1844-78.