A to Z of artists Alken, Samuel Henry 1810 - 1894

Known as Henry Alken Junior he was the first son of Henry Alken Senior and Marissa née Gordon, and was born in Ipswich.  On August 22^nd 1810 he was baptised Samuel Henry at St. Clement’s Church, but was known to his family as Henry Gordon, and is still sometimes referred to thus.  Little is known of his life save that he married Martha Dormer; that by 1891 he was receiving parochial relief, and that when he died was living in Polar Workhouse.

He worked in both oil and watercolour and it is debatable whether he was consciously copying the style of his father or whether he was taught by his father, and never developed any real individuality of his own.  His work is easily distinguishable from his father’s earlier work as it is much weaker, but less easy to distinguish from the later work. Basically the draughtsmanship is weaker, although he paid more attention to detail.  His horses were rounder than those of his father both in general build and in their movement.  It is also interesting to note in some of his later pictures, ladies hunting side-saddle and ‘flying’ over fences.  This was something that was most rare until about 1840.  During his father’s lifetime several prints were published after his work including ‘The last steeplechase held at Hippodrome Racecourse, Kensington’.

Judging by the circumstances of his death, he did not make a good living, if indeed he ever had great financial success.

Source: The Dictionary of British Equestrian Artists by Sally Mitchell (1985), published by the Antique Collectors’ Club.