Collection: John Frederick Herring

John Frederick Herring Sr. (1795–1865) was a Victorian English painter, sign maker, and coachman. Born in London to a Dutch-American merchant, Herring's early passion was drawing and horses. In Doncaster, he worked as a sign painter and coach insignia artist before becoming a night coach driver. In his spare time, he painted horse portraits, earning the nickname "the artist coachman."

Herring's talent was soon recognized by wealthy clients, leading him to paint hunters and racehorses for the gentry. In 1845, he was appointed Animal Painter to the Duchess of Kent and later became a favorite of Queen Victoria. Highly successful and prolific, Herring was one of the leading animal painters of the 19th century, alongside Sir Edwin Landseer. His works, including depictions of Derby and St. Leger winners, were widely popular and engraved. Herring exhibited at the Royal Academy, British Institution, and Society of British Artists, where he was Vice-President in 1842.