the collector's folio

Sydney Hodges Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Sydney Hodges our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Sydney Hodges · 1829 – 1900

Sydney Hodges: James Tennant

1863 · King's College London, London · original 111 x 85 cm

A somber 1863 portrait of a man in a suit sitting at a table with a red cloth, captured with meticulous detail and deep shadows.

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #1: James Tennant

Art Movement: Academic Art
Color Palette: Monochrome

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$43785 × 111 cm Commission at original size

James Bird Read, Mayor of Penryn (1837, 1847, 1853, 1855–1857, 1860–1862 1865)

1866 · original 112 x 86 cm

Admire James Bird Read by Hodges (1866). A formal portrait in realistic academic style, showcasing wealth & authority through layered oil paint & detailed composition.

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #2: James Bird Read, Mayor of Penryn (1837, 1847, 1853, 1855–1857, 1860–1862 1865)

Art Movement: Academic Painting
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$44386 × 112 cm Commission at original size

Samuel Hey

1873 · Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds · original 130 x 100 cm

1873 portrait by Joseph Sydney Willis Hodges featuring Samuel Hey. Detailed oil painting of an elderly gentleman in a richly upholstered armchair. Victorian realism & formal elegance.

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #3: Samuel Hey

Art Movement: Academic Realism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$544100 × 130 cm Commission at original size

Sydney Hodges, Sir John Russell Reynolds (1828–1896), Bt (1882)

1882 · original 99 x 74 cm

Admire Sir John Russell Reynolds portrait by Hodges (1882). A detailed oil painting of an elderly gentleman in a traditional Victorian style. Explore its elegance & historical significance.

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #4: Sir John Russell Reynolds (1828–1896), Bt

Art Movement: Academic Realism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$37374 × 99 cm Commission at original size

Right Honourable Matthew Talbot Baines, QC, MP (1891) by Sydney Hodges

1891 · The Shire Hall, Lancaster · original 127 x 102 cm

Admire Joseph Sydney Hodges’ ‘Right Honourable Matthew Talbot Baines,’ a stunning 1891 oil portrait showcasing Victorian realism & dramatic lighting. Explore this historical masterpiece!

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #5: Right Honourable Matthew Talbot Baines, QC, MP

Art Movement: Academic Realism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18127 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$543102 × 127 cm Commission at original size

Theophilus Redwood (1806–1892), First Professor of Pharmacy at the Pharmaceutical Society School by Sydney Hodges

1887 · Musée Victor Hugo, Paris · original 90 x 70 cm

Explore Joseph Sydney Willis Hodges’ 1887 portrait of Theophilus Redwood – a dignified academic painting showcasing Victorian realism & dramatic lighting. A captivating piece!

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #6: Theophilus Redwood (1806–1892), First Professor of Pharmacy at the Pharmaceutical Society School

Art Movement: Academic Realism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$34270 × 90 cm Commission at original size

General Joseph Edwin Thackwell (1813–1900), CB by Sydney Hodges, 1894

1894 · original 128 x 103 cm

Admire Joseph Willis Hodges’ portrait of General Thackwell – a detailed 1894 oil painting showcasing Victorian military grandeur & masterful realism.

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #7: General Joseph Edwin Thackwell (1813–1900), CB

Art Movement: Academic Painting
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$550103 × 128 cm Commission at original size

Alderman Charles Blades, JP

Lancaster Town Hall, Lancaster · original 143 x 109 cm

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18126 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$622109 × 143 cm Commission at original size

Henry Cooper, Mayor of Canterbury

1856 · original 128 x 102 cm

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$546102 × 128 cm Commission at original size

W. M. Tweedy by Sydney Hodges, 1859

1859 · original 143 x 112 cm

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #10: W. M. Tweedy

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$635112 × 143 cm Commission at original size

Edward Vivian (1808–1893), MA, JP, Founder Member and First Treasurer Torquay Natural History Society (1856) by Sydney Hodges

1856 · original 75 x 62 cm

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #11: Edward Vivian (1808–1893), MA, JP, Founder Member and First Treasurer Torquay Natural History Society

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$29262 × 75 cm Commission at original size

Henry Cranmer March Phillipps, Esq. (1793–1880), JP (1865) by Sydney Hodges

1865 · Torquay Town Hall, Torquay · original 237 x 145 cm

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #12: Henry Cranmer March Phillipps, Esq. (1793–1880), JP

Color Palette: Monochrome

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18124 × 41 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1182145 × 237 cm Commission at original size

Henry Philpotts (1778–1869), Bishop of Exeter, Controversialist

1866 · original 109 x 85 cm

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$43285 × 109 cm Commission at original size

Sydney Hodges: Mrs Henry Wood (1814–1887)

1875 · Worcester Guildhall, Worcester · original 110 x 89 cm

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #14: Mrs Henry Wood (1814–1887)

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$44889 × 110 cm Commission at original size

William Thompson in Mayoral Chain by Sydney Hodges, 1877

1877 · Towneley Hall Art Gallery - Museum, Burnley · original 127 x 103 cm

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #15: William Thompson in Mayoral Chain

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$547103 × 127 cm Commission at original size

Sydney Hodges, Right Honourable Sir James Fergusson (1832–1907), 6th Bt of Kilkerran, GCSI, KCMG, CIE (1875)

1875 · County Buildings, Ayr · original 227 x 135 cm

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #16: Right Honourable Sir James Fergusson (1832–1907), 6th Bt of Kilkerran, GCSI, KCMG, CIE

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18124 × 41 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1071135 × 227 cm Commission at original size

Robert Edward (1742–1801), 9th Lord Petre of Writtle by Sydney Hodges, 1885

1885 · The Library And Museum of Freemasonry, London · original 254 x 153 cm

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #17: Robert Edward (1742–1801), 9th Lord Petre of Writtle

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18124 × 41 cm Commission this artwork

Benjamin Disraeli (1874–1880), MP (1882) by Sydney Hodges

1882 · Maidstone Museum - Bentlif Art Gallery, Maidstone · original 138 x 110 cm

Admire Joseph Sydney Hodges’ 1882 portrait of Benjamin Disraeli – a masterful academic realist study showcasing intricate detail & directional lighting. Explore Victorian art history!

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #18: Benjamin Disraeli (1874–1880), MP

Art Movement: Academic Realism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$610110 × 138 cm Commission at original size

Sydney Hodges, William Brown (1882)

1882 · Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds · original 90 x 69 cm

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #19: William Brown

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$34069 × 90 cm Commission at original size

Claudius Galen Wheelhouse (1826–1909) (1884)

1884 · Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds · original 91 x 70 cm

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #20: Claudius Galen Wheelhouse (1826–1909)

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$34570 × 91 cm Commission at original size

John Darnton Luccock, Mayor (1845 1864) – Sydney Hodges

1884 · Leeds Civic Hall, Leeds · original 59 x 49 cm

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #21: John Darnton Luccock, Mayor (1845 1864)

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$23949 × 59 cm Commission at original size

Sir P. Protheroe Smith (1810–1882), 1881, Sydney Hodges

1881 · original 113 x 87 cm

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #22: Sir P. Protheroe Smith (1810–1882)

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$44987 × 113 cm Commission at original size

Philip Prothero Smith, Mayor (1871–1875 1878) (1881) by Sydney Hodges

1881 · Truro City Council Municipal Buildings, Truro · original 220 x 120 cm

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #23: Philip Prothero Smith, Mayor (1871–1875 1878)

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18124 × 42 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$945120 × 220 cm Commission at original size

Reverend Henry Robert Reynolds, DD (1825–1896), President of Cheshunt College by Sydney Hodges

1882 · original 61 x 51 cm

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #24: Reverend Henry Robert Reynolds, DD (1825–1896), President of Cheshunt College

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$24651 × 61 cm Commission at original size

Reverend H. R. Reynolds, DD by Sydney Hodges, 1888

1888 · Cheshunt Foundation, Cambridge · original 120 x 100 cm

View the most popular artwork of Sydney Hodges ranked #25: Reverend H. R. Reynolds, DD

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 46 artworks by Sydney Hodges
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18126 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$514100 × 120 cm Commission at original size

The artist

Sydney Hodges

1829 – 1900

Quick facts

Corpus themesconservative values reflected, documenting prominent figures, victorian formality
Copyright statusPublic domain
Top-ranked workJames Tennant
NationalityUnited Kingdom
Works on APS46
Topics exploredvictorian era, oil painting, portrait, formal art, dignified figure
Movementsacademic realism
Also known asJoseph Sydney Willis Hodges, Sidney Hodges, J. S. Willis, S. Hodges, J. Sidney Willis Hodges

Biography

A Legacy Forged in Cornish Mist and Academic Rigor

Born amidst the rugged, evocative landscapes of Truro, Cornwall, in 1828, Joseph Sydney Willis Hodges was a child of an era where landscape and legend were inextricably linked. The burgeoning Cornish art scene, revitalized by the dramatic rediscovery of Tintagel Castle and its deep associations with Arthurian myth, provided a backdrop of mythic grandeur that would forever color his artistic sensibilities. His early education at Marlborough College allowed him to master the delicate nuances of drawing and watercolor, yet it was his subsequent journey to the Slade School of Fine Art in London that truly forged his professional identity. Here, amidst the rigorous demands of academic realism, Hodges learned to translate the physical world into a language of profound precision, preparing him for a career that would eventually define the very essence of Victorian portraiture.

The Soul Behind the Surface: The Art of Portraiture

As his career matured, Hodges transitioned from the sweeping vistas of his homeland to the intimate, often formal, chambers of Britain's most distinguished figures. He became a master of the psychological portrait, an artist who looked far beyond the velvet and lace to capture the quiet dignity and inner strength of his subjects. His technique was characterized by an unwavering commitment to detail; every subtle shadow and intricate brushstroke served to heighten the realism of his compositions. Whether depicting the scholarly presence of Theophilus Redwood or the commanding, sophisticated air of Charles Chadwick, Hodges utilized oil on canvas to create a depth of color and texture that felt almost tactile. His mastery was evident in several key elements:

Meticulous attention to facial features, ensuring each subject possessed a unique, recognizable character and psychological depth.
Subtle use of light and shadow, which lent a dramatic, often somber, weight to his formal compositions, reflecting the gravity of his subjects' roles in society.
A profound sense of Victorian elegance, capturing the sartorial splendor and social importance of the 19th-century elite through rich textures and precise rendering.

Through works such as his 1873 portrait of Samuel Hey, Hodges demonstrated an ability to imbue even a seated figure in an armchair with a sense of narrative importance and historical weight.

An Enduring Echo of the Victorian Era

The significance of Joseph Sydney Willis Hodges extends far beyond the mere documentation of faces; he was a chronicler of an age. Through his portraits of clergy, military leaders, and civic luminaries like Lord Winmarleigh, he preserved the social fabric of a Britain in transition. His ability to blend the mythic influences of his Cornish upbringing with the disciplined realism of the London art world allowed him to create works that were both historically grounded and emotionally resonant. As we look upon his canvases today, we see more than just historical figures; we witness the meticulous craftsmanship of an artist who captured the very heartbeat of Victorian society, leaving behind a visual testament to the nobility and leadership of his time.

Questions & Answers

Which artworks by Sydney Hodges are the most viewed?

Statistics about Sydney Hodges's works are available on the artist's Stats page.

Is there a chronological account of Sydney Hodges?

Sydney Hodges's career unfolds period by period on the artist's Chronicle page: a horizontal timeline of the artworks, grouped into career-period chapters.

Where can I see Sydney Hodges's artworks arranged by atmosphere?

The Mood Room of Sydney Hodges is a page that arranges the artist's artworks by mood.

By the WahooArt.com Editorial Team Updated Sept. 26, 2026

Collector's quiz

one You choose the size

Standard formats or any custom dimension, matched to the proportions of the original.

two We paint and send a preview

A photo of the finished canvas for your approval before it is shipped.

three Delivered, certified

Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

Commission your Sydney Hodges

Every artwork by Sydney Hodges in our catalog can be painted to order, in the size that suits the room.

All artworks by Sydney Hodges