Charles Hunt Snr. was an engraver and painter of contemporary genre scenes, often being humorous, as well as historical subjects, although he is most well-known for these charming interior scenes with mischievous little children.
Very occasionally he turned his hand to important pieces, which are ingeniously composed, highly finished and especially natural. His name is synonymous with the highest excellence in animal and figure paintings.
He would continually collaborate on plates with his son, Charles Hunt Jnr. who was also an artist. Both became famous in the sporting print trade because of the precision and beauty of their exact engravings, which generally featured either hunting or racing scenes.
He is singled out by Reynolds, who illustrated in the Museum, as being one of those “artists who painted modern life in the 1850’s and attained a standard of achievement which ensures their continuing interest”.
Hunt exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1862 and 1873. He also exhibited at the British Institution and Suffolk Street. Titles at the Royal Academy include “Vocal and Instrumental”, “The Banquet Scene”, “Macbeth” and “Make Way for the Grand Jury”.
