John Alexander Harrington Bird was best known for his paintings of horses, particularly Arabians, as well as for his depictions of racing and hunting scenes.

Educated in London and originally intended for a military career, Bird instead turned to art, studying at the Royal Academy Schools. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from the age of twenty-four and subsequently received a number of commissions from the Royal Family.

In 1875 he travelled to Montreal, Canada, where he was appointed Director of Art to the Board of School Commissioners. While in Canada, he exhibited at the Royal Canadian Academy, becoming an Associate in 1880.

Bird later returned to London, where he spent the remainder of his life, exhibiting at th...