Archibald Henning
Encyclopedia
Archibald Henning was a British illustrator best known for the illustrations that he drew for Punch
. Before working for Punch, he first contributed drawings to The Town
. This was a paper known for reporting on scandals that was owned by Renton Nicholson
and was published from 1837 to 1840. The Town frequently featured Henning’s drawings of notorious London residents on its front page. He often visited locations that were known for drawing lower class patrons and used what he saw there in his drawings, often depicting people who lived a Demimonde
lifestyle. Henning later became one of the first employees of Punch in 1841. He continued working there until the summer of 1842. Henning contributed eleven drawings to the first volume and several more to the second. He also wrote for Punch, notably contributing several humorous valentines messages. In addition to his work on Punch, he also contributed drawings for several other publications and painted for the Post Office as well. In 1843 a magazine that employed Henning claimed that Punch had plagiarised some of his recently published work. He also produced artwork for one of Nicholson's later venture, the Garrick’s Head and Town Hotel. Henning painted portraits on the exterior of the hotel which portrayed London celebrities attending events inside. He also drew a large frieze to Apsley House in Hyde Park
.
Henning was the third son of the sculptor John Henning. Though his father was very punctual and focused on classical art, Archibald was known for his relaxed manner. He often focused his work on unrefined humour in the bohemian
style. His brother in law Joseph Kenny Meadows
was also an artist who contributed to Punch.
Punch (magazine)
Punch, or the London Charivari was a British weekly magazine of humour and satire established in 1841 by Henry Mayhew and engraver Ebenezer Landells. Historically, it was most influential in the 1840s and 50s, when it helped to coin the term "cartoon" in its modern sense as a humorous illustration...
. Before working for Punch, he first contributed drawings to The Town
The Town (newspaper)
The Town was a British newspaper that was published between 1837 and 1840. It generally covered the scandals and nightlife of London. Many of the topics written about in the paper were considered extremely vulgar at the time and it was often criticized for discussing these topics...
. This was a paper known for reporting on scandals that was owned by Renton Nicholson
Renton Nicholson
Renton Nicholson was an English impresario, businessman, actor, and writer. He is best known for his Judge and Jury Society performances and for his ownership of the newspaper The Town....
and was published from 1837 to 1840. The Town frequently featured Henning’s drawings of notorious London residents on its front page. He often visited locations that were known for drawing lower class patrons and used what he saw there in his drawings, often depicting people who lived a Demimonde
Demimonde
Demi-monde refers to a group of people who live hedonistic lifestyles, usually in a flagrant and conspicuous manner. The term was commonly used in Europe from the late 18th to the early 20th century, and modern use often refers to that period...
lifestyle. Henning later became one of the first employees of Punch in 1841. He continued working there until the summer of 1842. Henning contributed eleven drawings to the first volume and several more to the second. He also wrote for Punch, notably contributing several humorous valentines messages. In addition to his work on Punch, he also contributed drawings for several other publications and painted for the Post Office as well. In 1843 a magazine that employed Henning claimed that Punch had plagiarised some of his recently published work. He also produced artwork for one of Nicholson's later venture, the Garrick’s Head and Town Hotel. Henning painted portraits on the exterior of the hotel which portrayed London celebrities attending events inside. He also drew a large frieze to Apsley House in Hyde Park
Hyde Park, London
Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, United Kingdom, and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner.The park is divided in two by the Serpentine...
.
Henning was the third son of the sculptor John Henning. Though his father was very punctual and focused on classical art, Archibald was known for his relaxed manner. He often focused his work on unrefined humour in the bohemian
Bohemianism
Bohemianism is the practice of an unconventional lifestyle, often in the company of like-minded people, with few permanent ties, involving musical, artistic or literary pursuits...
style. His brother in law Joseph Kenny Meadows
Kenny Meadows
Joseph Kenny Meadows, better known as Kenny Meadows, was a British caricaturist and illustrator. He is best known for the drawings that he contributed to Punch and for his illustrations of scenes from Shakespeare's plays. Much of his work was drawn in a humorous bohemian style...
was also an artist who contributed to Punch.