James Henry Beard: A Life in Portraiture James Henry Beard (April 22, 1812 – 1893) was an American painter who specialized in the genre of portraits. He achieved recognition for his depictions of prominent figures and, later in life, charming representations of domestic animals. Early Life and Artistic Beginnings Born in Buffalo, New York, Beard was the son of English and Scottish immigrants. His artistic inclinations manifested early, quickly blossoming after his family relocated to Ohio. It was there he began seriously honing his capabilities as an artist. He studied under Jarvis Frary H…