HARDING

harding, james duffield (1798-1863), english landscape painter, was the son of an artist, and took to the same vocation at an early age, although he had originally been destined for the law. he was in the main a water-colour painter and a lithographer, but he produced various oil-paintings both at the beginning and towards the end of his career. he frequently contributed to the exhibitions of the water-colour society, of which he became an associate in 1821, and a full member in 1822. he was also very largely engaged in teaching, and published several books developing his views of art--amongst others, _the tourist in italy_ (1831); _the tourist in france_ (1834); _the park and the forest_ (1841); _the principles and the practice of art_ (1845); _elementary art_ (1846); _scotland delineated in a series of views_ (1847); _lessons on art_ (1849). he died at barnes on the 4th of december 1863. harding was noted for facility, sureness of hand, nicety of touch, and the various qualities which go to make up an elegant, highly trained, and accomplished sketcher from nature, and composer of picturesque landscape material; he was particularly skilful in the treatment of foliage.