Albert Clark

Albert Clark was the second son of animal painter James Clark and his wife Elizabeth. He was born on 29 October 1843 and was baptised on 8 April 1849 at  Christchurch, Hoxton, Middlesex. He is first recorded as an artist on the census of 1861 when he was 17. At this time he was living with his widower father at 21 Walbrook Street, Hoxton New Town.  

In 1868, aged 24, Albert married Ellen Parsons, who was the younger sister of his father's second wife. They had four children, including artist Frederick Albert Clark. Ellen died after giving birth to twins in 1873. Two years on, Albert married Harriet Jane Ireland, and the family moved to 81 Riversdale Road, Islington, which was just a few doors along from his father James. Albert had three more children with Harriet, including artist William Albert Clark.  Harriet died in 1896.

Albert's speciality was oil paintings of horses, although there are some cattle portraits and a small number of dog portraits recorded. He obtained commissions to paint race horses, sometimes depicted with their riders. He also painted horse portraits for the prizewinners of the Islington Horse Show which was held annually at the Islington Agricultural Hall near his home. Albert and his son Frederick worked together at Riversdale Road for a time, signing their paintings "Albert Clark and Son". There is at least one version of his father's painting "The Runaway Horse" attributed to Albert Clark. Like his brother Samuel, Albert bought canvases from art supplier Arthur Rayner. Albert is not known to have  exhibited with any of the major art societies. 

Albert's census returns from 1901 onwards note that he was deaf. By 1911 Albert had moved to Seven Sisters Road, Tottenham, Middlesex. He died on 18 December 1928 at North Middlesex Hospital aged 85.  

The engraving shown here is dated May 1892 and is part of a published article about the Summer Horse Show in Islington. Captioned "Having his portrait taken by a London Artist", it may actually be a sketch of Albert Clark at work.