James Havard Thomas

Born in Bristol, Thomas studied at the Bristol School of Art, and as a National Scholar at the Royal College of Art. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1872. After working in London between 1875 and 1881 he spent three years studying under Cavalier at the cole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Back in London between 1884 and 1889, Thomas became a member of the New English Art Club in 1886. He moved to live and work in Italy between 1889 and 1906, where he also developed further skills working in a local bronze foundry near Naples. He exhibited with the International Society in the late 1890s, and from 1908 with the Society of Twelve. Appointed an assistant lecturer at the Slade in 1911, he became Professor of Sculpture in 1915. He produced figure, portrait busts and reliefs, and was a pioneer in the revival of ancient methods. His memorial exhibition was held at the Leicester Galleries in 1922.