Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Sandham, Henry
SANDHAM, HENRY (1842–1910), painter and illustrator, born in Montreal on 24 May 1842, was son of John Sandham by his wife, Elizabeth Tait. The father had emigrated from England to Canada as a house decorator.
Sandham taught himself art in youth, with some aid from Vogt, Way, Jacobi, and other Canadian painters. He early entered the photographic studio, in Montreal, of W. Notman, whose partner he became. Here he executed his first public artistic work for the 'Century Magazine' of New York. Recognising his ability, Mr. Notman recommended him to the notice of J. A. Fraser, R.C.A., under whose tuition Sandham quickly came to the front. He then travelled in Europe to study the classical works and settled in Boston on his return in 1880. In this year the Royal Canadian Academy was founded by the Marquis of Lorne and Princess Louise, and Sandham was chosen as a charter member.
In the United States Sandham had great success as a painter of battle and historical scenes. He also painted many portraits of distinguished persons, and continued to work at illustrations. His best-known pictures are 'The March of Time,' to commemorate the grand army of the republic, now in the National Gallery, Washington; 'The Dawn of Liberty,' in the town hall, Lexington, U.S.; portrait of Sir John A. Macdonald, in the Parliament Buildings, Ottawa. Others are hung in the Parliament Buildings, Halifax, N.S., in the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, and the State House, Boston, 'Some of his figure groups are most skilfully handled. He was an excellent draughtsman' (Edmund Morris). His greatest success was in the medium of water colours. He excelled also in colour work for book and magazine illustrations, often contributing to the 'Century,' 'Scribner's,' and 'Harper's' magazines. Besides the various American galleries, he exhibited at the Royal Canadian Academy and the Salon of Paris, and was awarded medals at the Philadelphia centennial exhibition, 1876, and at the Indian colonial exhibition. South Kensington, London, 1886.
He died in London on 21 June 1910, and was buried in Kensal Green. A memorial exhibition of his chief paintings was held in the Imperial Institute, London, in June 1911.
Sandham married on 23 May 1865 Agnes, daughter of John Fraser, a Canadian journalist. Mrs. Sandham was a contributor to the various American magazines. Of six children, two reached maturity — Arthur, a wood-engraver, and Gwendoline.
[Art in Canada: the Early Painters, by Edmund Morris, Canada, July 1910 (an Illustrated article); Morgan, Canadian Men and Women of the Time; Cat. Exhibition of Sandham's work in London, 1911; information from his daughter.]