John Emms (artist)

John Emms (* April 21, 1843 in Blofield, England; † November 1, 1912 in Lyndhurst, England) was an English painter of realism.

Life

Emms was born in Norfolk and grew up in a family of artists. He became an enthusiastic hunter and became famous for his paintings of horses and dogs, especially of foxhounds and fox terriers. Since 1866 he exhibited several times at the Royal Academy. His paintings are marked with " Jno Emms " signed.

His interest in art took him to London, where he assisted Frederic Leighton in his studio. In 1872 he returned to Lyndhurst.

In 1880, he married the 15 years younger Fanny Primmer from Lyndhurst. The couple had three daughters and a son. After marriage they lived for a time in London, but returned in 1881 back to Lyndhurst and built a large house and studio called The Firs. There Emms spent the rest of his life.

His painting of " Callum " (1895 ), a Dandie Dinmont Terrier, hangs in the National Gallery of Scotland.

Emms is considered a painter of great talent. According to the American Kennel Club, his painting The New Forest Foxhounds is estimated at 800,000 to 1.2 million dollars.