Melody

Henry Ryland, born in 1856 in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, emerged as a distinguished figure in the British art scene during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The son of John Benjamin and Elizabeth Ryland, he honed his craft at prestigious institutions, including the South Kensington Art School and Heatherley's in London, before furthering his studies in Paris under the tutelage of Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant and at the Académie Julian with Gustave Boulanger and Lefebvre. Ryland's artistic repertoire was diverse, encompassing painting, book illustration, decoration, and design, with a particular affinity for watercolours that depicted young women adorned in classical draperies against marble terraces, a theme that resonated with the tastes of the era. Ryland's work, exhibited at notable venues such as the Grosvenor Gallery, the Royal Academy, and the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, reflected a unique blend of Neo-Classical and Pre-Raphaelite influences, with Puvis de Chavanne and Lawrence Alma-Tadema among his inspirations. Beyond his paintings, Ryland contributed to the decorative arts through stained glass design and woodcuts featured in publications like the English Illustrated Magazine. Married to Mabel Louise Mann in 1901, with whom he had two children, Ryland's legacy as a master of neo-classical watercolour painting endures, celebrated for its elegance and refinement. He passed away on November 23, 1924, leaving behind a body of work that continues to captivate audiences.