John Frederick Herring, Jnr. was born in Doncaster in 1820, to the well known 19th Century painter John F. Herring, Sr. Early in his artistic career, Herring, Jnr. learned his father’s mastery of the brush and was exposed to many fine paintings and wealthy patrons.
It has been stated that Herring, Sr. had a first son also named John Frederick Herring, Jnr., born on June 21, 1815 and baptized on October 22, 1815. However, a second John Frederick Herring Jnr. was born in 1820 and baptized on March 22, 1821. It is presumed that the first child died, and the second child is the John Frederick Herring, Jnr. that we know today.
Not surprisingly, Herring Jnr. followed in his father’s foot-steps and became a painter of sporting and animal scenes. He devoted his career to copying and imitating his father’s work, particularly farmyard scenes. Since both artists used the same name and initials on their paintings, their work is often confused. Through his career, Herring, Jnr. continued to paint in his father’s style but as he evolved as an artist his style gradually began to change – loosening his brushworks and widening his views.
From 1860 – 1875 Herring, Jnr. exhibited at all the major exhibition halls, including: The Royal Academy, The British Institution, and Suffolk Street.