Henry James Hall

Henry Hall, Courtesy Federation University Historical Collection.

Henry James Hall was an artist and draughtsman whose premises (according to the Australasian Federal Directory) were located on Eyre Street, Ballarat West. He worked at the Ballarat School of Mines.

History

Born in London, England in 1846 Henry J. Hall was educated at Dr Brookleck's school, and South Kensington Art School. Hall was drawing teacher at Creswick Grammar School from 1882 to the mid-1880s. His most famous student there was Percy Lindsay. After coming to Ballarat he joined the Ballarat East School of Art as mechanical, architectural, and drawing instructor. In 1885 he was appointed instructor of Freehand Drawing and Painting, Freehand Drawing, Model Drawing, Architectural Drawing and Building Construction at the Ballarat School of Mines. In 1889 he reported to the Ballarat School of Mines Council that his classes were never established for the cultivation of Art (as generally understood) or the making of pictures but with an idea of assisting artisans - of both sexes - and persons connected with mechanical industries, in acquiring lightness of hand, and facility in the use of a black-lead pencil so as to be able to place legibly and intelligibly upon a sheet.

For many years Henry Hall advertised private tuition in Drawing, Painting and Perspective, at 'Ferndale', 25 Eyre Street. He became seriously ill in 1917, was granted two successive months sick leave by the Ballarat School of Mines Council, but died during May 1917.

Legacy

Henry J. Hall was responsible for drafting the 1909 alterations at St Joseph's Catholic Church, Learmonth.

Family

Amalgamated Mining Managers' Association of Australasia Letterhead, 1898. The artwork on this letterhead is attributed to Henry James Hall. Federation University Historical Collection (Cat. No. 18139)

Obituary

Mr Henry James Hall, who had been on the staff of the School since probably 1885 as a Lecturer in Freehand, Geometric and Perspective Drawing, died in Ballarat on the 19 May 1917 at about 71 years of age. He had been a popular member of the School's teaching staff and his passing was referred to in the S.M.B. Students Magazine for 1018 as follows:

For over thirty-five years Mr Hall was a teacher of drawing and perspective on the School staff and he continued in that capacity until death closed a long and honourable career. In he passing of such a genial personality the School has lost a valuable officer and the students a teacher and friend. Full of courage, Mr Hall continued his duties long after the hopelessness of his conidtion had been probounced by his medical advisers. An Englishman from the County of Kent, he displayed the good old Englisg yeoman spirit to the last and refused to repine of the inevitable. His patience and fortitude might well stand as an example to us all.

The death occurred at his residence, Doveton Street north, on Saturday, of Mr Henry James Hall, the well known drawing instructor, at the age of 70 years. The deceased had been ailing for a very long time, and his death was not unexpected. The late Mr Hall was born in London in 1846. He was educated at Dr Brookleck's school, and was South Kensington Art School, and was a chorister in St Paul's Cathedral, London. Mr Hall was engaged for seven years as a portrait painter with the late Thomas Fossey and was also portrait and landscape painted at Maidstone, Kent, for about 11 years. After coming to Ballarat he joined the Ballarat East Art School as mechanical, architectural, and drawing instructor. In 1885 he was appointed instructor of drawing and painting and building construction at the Ballarat School of Mines. He was Worshipful Master of the Orion Masonic Lodge in 1893, and later received appointment as P.S.G.D. of the Grand Lodge of Victoria. He was also P.C. Ranger of the old A.O.F., and was P. Arch of the U.A.O.D. at Maidstone, Kent, as well as being an ex-sergeant of the Royal West, Kent. The deceased leaves a widow, two sons and three daughters. The funeral will take place today at 2 o'clock to the Ballarat Old Cemetery.

Sympathetic reference was made at last evening's meeting of the Ballarat School of Mines Council to the death of the late Mr Henry J. Hall, who had been a member of the Art School teaching staff for 32 years. The loss caused by his death, stated the principal, would be deeply felt by both the staff and students, and much sympathy was expressed with Mrs Hall and her family.

Notes

The School of Design in connection with the City Free Library will be held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Feiday evenings from 7 30 o’clock till 9 o’clock. On Saturday mornings the classes will meet from 10.30 o’clock till noon. Mr Henry J. Hall is the instructor.

At a meeting of the committee of the Mechanics’ Institute, held on Monday even ing, a letter was received from Mr F. J. Martell, resigning the charge of the Monday evening class in connection with the School of Design, on account of other engagements. The resignation was accepted, and Mr Henry J. Hall was unanimously appointed to fill the vacancy.

Robert Lewis, aged twenty-two, who said he was a member of the Masonic brother-hood in Western Australia, was charged at the Ballarat East court on Tuesday with stealing Masonic regalia and a jewel valued at £12, belonging to Stephen Mason, insurance agent, of Melbourne, where he is secretary of the Naval and Military lodge. Prisoner was also charged with stealing Masonic regalia and a jewel valued at £10 belonging to Henry J. Hall, artist, of Ballarat. The alleged offences were, as reported in "The Age," committed in April last while Lewis, who is a laborer, was on fraternal visits to MasoniC lodges of Ballarat. Accused pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to six months' imprisonment on each charge.

...An ex-President’s certificate [of the Mining Managers' Association Ballarat Branch, handsomely embellished with a picture of a mining scene by Mr Henry J. Hall, was presented to Sir Phil Lewis on behalf of the members. Mr R. Ditchburn made the presentation in an appropriate speech, and was supported by several speakers, who eulogised the ex-president for his capabilities as their chief officer and his merits as a citizen. Mr Lewis having replied, a vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings.

See also

Artists

Ballarat East School of Art

Ballarat West Art School

Ballarat School of Mines

Clunes School of Mines

Henry Hall, son

External links

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--Beth Kicinski 10:12, 19 December 2011 (EST); --Clare K.Gervasoni 18:33, 4 January 2015 (EST); --Clare K.Gervasoni 22:47, 16 April 2017 (AEST); --Clare K.Gervasoni 23:28, 28 March 2019 (AEDT); --Clare K.Gervasoni 14:21, 27 April 2022 (AEST)

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