Biography

Henry Wright Kerr was born in Edinburgh and after being apprenticed to a manufacturer in Dundee returned to his native city, taking an office job in Leith whilst studying at the Life School at the Royal Scottish Academy. He also visited the Netherlands where he came under the influence of the Hague School. At first Kerr was known for his genre scenes of Scottish and Irish characters in the manner of Wilkie, but after 1900 he turned increasingly to portraiture. He primarily worked in watercolour.