Art Funded by you
Study for Many Happy Returns of the Day
William Powell Frith, 1854
William Powell Frith, Study for Many Happy Returns of the Day, 1854, York Art Gallery, Art Funded 1992
© Photo Courtesy of Christopher Wood Gallery
The little girl whose birthday is being celebrated is his daughter Alice, whose name appears on the birthday cake in the sketch.
Although he trained and spent his working life in London, Frith was a Yorkshire artist; he was born near Ripon in 1819 and in 1826 his father became landlord of the Dragon Inn, Harrogate.
More information
Title of artwork, date
Study for Many Happy Returns of the Day, 1854
Date supported
1992
Medium and material
Oil on millboard
Dimensions
30 x 40 cm
Grant
10,900
Total cost
27,000
Get a National Art Pass and explore York Art Gallery
You'll see more art and your membership will help museums across the UK
National Art Pass offers available at York Art Gallery
Free entry and 50% off exhibitions
Art Funded by you FAQs
Where can I see this work of art? Is it on display?
What is Art Fund's purpose?
How is Art Fund funded?
What type of funding do you offer?
What does the acquisition grants programme support and who can apply?
How many works of art has Art Fund helped museums to acquire?
I’m a curator/researcher/arts professional and would like to find out more about this work, how do I get in touch?
I’m a journalist and would like to contact Art Fund about this work, how do I get in touch?
I would like to donate a work of art to a museum. What do I need to do?
I'd like to leave a gift to Art Fund in my will. How can I do this?
Contact us
If you have a question about a work of art featured here, please contact the Programmes team. We’ll be happy to answer your enquiry.