As we approach 100 years since the death of one of our most popular artists we pay tribute to the man and his work.

Born Henry Gillard Glindon in 1852 in Kennington, Henry was brought up by his grandfather Robert Glindon, after the death of his parents, and from a very early age Henry watched on in the background as Robert, a singer and songwriter, performed on the stage.

Henry’s interest in the theatre grew and he soon immersed himself in all things artistic by winning a part in the production of mock opera Midas as Cupid when he was four.

Henry continued to perform in pantomimes with roles varying dramatically from a rabbit to a policeman.

Mark Watson, from Valence House Museum, Dagenmham, said: “Henry had an artistic flair at an early age and he became a scene painter, drawing and colouring in the backdrops because people would come to see the scenes as much as the performers.”

Robert saw Henry’s potential and wanted him to join an apprenticeship, but the expensive £50 fee swiftly ruled this option out.

When Robert died in 1866, Henry was just 14 and had to take care of himself doing odd jobs and bit part work as a painter.

He lived with his grandfather’s sister, Sarah, in the intervening years and it was a pep talk from her that encouraged Henry to work as photographer during the day and then go to night school at the Castle Street School of Art and the Slade School of Art in London.

Mark added: “It was a very prestigious opportunity and gave Henry’s work an audience. He was now in the artists circle, but his big break came when his work was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1873.

“It was a big deal because Henry had arrived at the scene, his name was in the press and people were talking about him.”

It was also in 1873 that Henry changed what was an Irish name “Glindon” to “Glindoni” for a more Italian feel. Despite living in Chelsea, Henry was able to make most of his money during this period through pieces he produced, illustrating historic scenes, women, the Tudor period and artwork in newspapers and magazines.

Mark added: “Henry was very good at drawing animals and people so he was able to build a career as a fashionable graphic artist because people wanted his work on their wall.

“His illustrations were always photo realistic and full of detail even after just an hour of studying.”

He married Ruth in 1881 and had a daughter named Esther, who would later go on to become headteacher at William Ford School, Whalebone Lane, Dagenham.

Mark added: “Esther was very involved in his paintings, often used as a child in pictures or when he needed a female presence. He was an eccentric with a flair for romantic work and that meant he was very rarely out of work and he could pick and choose his commissions.”

Unfortunately for Henry, as times changed, so did people’s tastes and his work soon went out of fashion. He had spent a great part of his life working in London and earned the money to return to Chadwell Heath in 1901, which had become a more affluent area in his absence.

It was now an up-and-coming town, with a railway station, meaning business people came to live in the area for the travel.

Henry died on November 20, 1913, aged 61, but his work is still admired at Valence House Museum.