HAMBLING, Harry

1902 - 1998

Harry Smyth Leonard Hambling was born at Snape, Suffolk on 1 February 1902, elder son of Henry Thomas Hambling (6 February 1875-20 October 1942), a farmer, and his wife Celia née Smyth (18 July 1875-7 March 1952), who married at Snape in 1900. In 1911, Harry was living at Glebe Farm, Blaxhall, Suffolk with his parents, 36-year-old Henry, who was born at Snape, and 35-year-old Celia, who was born at Sternfield, Suffolk with his sibling sister, 7-year-old Audrey. After leaving Northgate School in Ipswich, he joined Barclays Bank and remained with them until his retirement in 1962, working briefly in the Ipswich branch before transferring to Hadleigh, Suffolk. He married at Hadleigh 10 May 1933, Marjorie Rose Harris (22 January 1907-6 January 1988), and had one son and two daughters including artist Maggi Hambling. In 1939, Harry was a bank clerk, living at 'Milver', George Street, Hadleigh, Suffolk with his wife Marjorie. A self-taught watercolour painter who, at the age of 65, began to experiment in oils and took up painting seriously. Noted for his robust design, intensity, and powerful colour, often featuring the Suffolk countryside. He regularly exhibited, including seven solo shows including at the Brett Gallery, near Hadleigh and exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and had several joint exhibitions with his daughter. Private owners of his paintings include George Melly, Delia Smith and Paul Bailey and owners as far afield as Australia and America. Public collections include Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich, and Barclays Bank. Harry Smyth Leonard Hambling died at Ipswich on 22 January 1998.

Royal Academy Exhibits
from Wisteria House, Hadleigh, Suffolk
1996 1056 The Rookery
1997 1148 White Holly and Snowberries

---

Works by This Artist