Henry Barraud was an animal, portrait and subject painter born in Camberwell, London in 1811. He was the son of William Francis Barraud, a clerk at Custom House and Sophie Hull, daughter of Thomas Hull, the miniature painter. His paternal grandfather was Paul Philip Barraud the eminent chronometer maker. His older brother was the animal artist William Barraud (1810-1850). Whilst little is known about his early education, he most likely received art tuition alongside his brother. Like William, he initially joined his father working as a clerk in the Customs office. However, they both left to become artists with Henry going on to study under J. J Middleton.
The two brothers shared a studio and lived together in a number of locations including Champion Hill, Camberwell and 9, Exchange Buildings in the City. They also collaborated on a number of paintings. Henry began exhibiting at the Royal Academy in 1833 until 1859 and as well as his solo works exhibited the collaborative works with his brother from 1836 until 1849. He also exhibited at the British Institution and at the Royal Society of British Artists from 1835, again both on his own and also with some of the works he painted with William. Both Henry and his brother painted a number of scenes of Florence and Rome during the early 1840’s which
indicates they could well have travelled to Italy together.
Barraud married Anna Maria Rose on 14, September 1842. The couple lived at 77 Park Street, Grosvenor Square and went on to have 9 children together. Two of their sons, Mark Henry Barraud (1846-1887) and Francis James Barraud (1856-1924) also became artists. He spent his time travelling around the country often painting on commission. Some of his patrons included the Earl of Arundel and the Earl of Coventry. His most famous works included ‘We praise Thee, O God’, ‘The London Season, a scene in Hyde Park’, ‘Lord’s Cricket Ground’, and ‘The Lobby of the House of Commons’. A number of his paintings including his most popular were reproduced as engravings, some of which were published in the Sporting Magazine.
By 1851, he was living at 23, Campden Gove, Kensington before making his final move to 96 Gloucester Place where he spent his remaining years. He died at Gloucester Place on 17 June, 1874 at the age of 64. Examples of his work are held by the British Library, Cooper Gallery, Hunterian Museum, Museum of London, National Army Museum, Newstead Abbey, Northampton Museum, Towneley hall Art Gallery and the Yale Centre for British Art.