Patrick Hennessy (painter)
Encyclopedia
Patrick Hennessy, RHA was an Irish
painter.
, Ireland
in 1915. The son of army officer John Hennessy, of 2 Shandon Terrace, and Bridget Hennessy (née Ring) he moved with his family, in the 1920s, to live in Scotland
where they had many relations. During the mid-1930s he studied at the Dundee College of Art
under James MacIntosh Patrick
(later RSA). Here, he met fellow artist Harry Robertson Craig, who would become his life-long partner. He later conducted postgraduate work at Dundee and gained a travelling scholarship which enabled him to further his studies in Paris
and Rome
. He subsequently studied at the Hospitalfield Advanced Art College in Arbroath
.
In 1939, at the dawn of World War II
, Hennessy returned to his native Ireland to work as a professional painter. In 1940 he joined the Society of Dublin Painters which was co-founded by the artist Paul Henry
and spent that decade living between Cork and Dublin. In 1947 he was resident in Crosshaven
and by 1949 he had moved across Cork Harbour
to nearby Cobh
. He and Craig later settled at a Raglan Lane studio in Ballsbridge
, Dublin.
In 1941, his work was exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy
(RHA) for the first time. Between 1941 and 1971 he exhibited every year (but for three occasions) at the RHA, cumulatively showing in the region of one hundred paintings. In 1948 he was elected associate to the RHA, and full member the following year. He also showed work at the Ritchie Hendriks Gallery, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, in addition to submitting pieces to the Royal Academy
(RA) and the Royal Scottish Academy
(RSA). As well as regularly exhibiting in group exhibitions, he also had several solo shows, among which included: a retrospective at the Dublin Painters Gallery in 1951; a London show in 1956; a flower painting show at the Ritchie Hendriks Gallery in 1957; Dublin winter shows in 1967 and 1978; as well as exhibitions in Chicago and his native Cork.
Immensely productive but something of an outsider within the Irish Academy, his increasingly individual and precise style has been associated with Surrealism
and anticipates Photorealism
, while his subjects range from still lifes and interiors to landscapes and portraits. In 1939 he painted a portrait of Dr Eduard Hempel
(as well as ones of his wife and their children, Liv and Berthold), who was the German Envoy to Ireland between 1937 and 1945. In 1957 he painted a portrait of his friend, the author Elizabeth Bowen
(CBE) at her ancestral home of Bowen's Court, near Kildorrery
, County Cork
, while in 1963 he painted Farewell to Ireland depicting President John F. Kennedy
departing Ireland at Shannon Airport
five months prior to his assassination in Dallas, Texas
.
In later life, he and Craig traveled extensively in France
, Belgium
, Netherlands
, Spain
, Italy
and Greece
, spending their winters for health reasons in Morocco
and Portugal
and their summers working in Cork and the West of Ireland. Patrick Hennessy died in Portugal on 30 December 1980 aged 65.
Examples of his work can be found in the public collections of the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery
; the Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane; the Irish Museum of Modern Art
(IMMA); the Limerick City Gallery of Art (LCGA); the National Gallery of Ireland
(NGI); the National Self-Portrait Collection of Ireland (NSPCI) at the University of Limerick
(UL); and in the collections of University College Cork (UCC) and University College Dublin
(UCD).
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
painter.
Life and Work
Patrick Hennessy was born in CorkCork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in 1915. The son of army officer John Hennessy, of 2 Shandon Terrace, and Bridget Hennessy (née Ring) he moved with his family, in the 1920s, to live in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
where they had many relations. During the mid-1930s he studied at the Dundee College of Art
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design is an integral part of the University of Dundee in Dundee, Scotland. It is ranked as one of the top schools of art and design in the United Kingdom and has an outstanding reputation in both practice and research.-History:Attempts were made to...
under James MacIntosh Patrick
James MacIntosh Patrick
James McIntosh Patrick, RSA was a Scottish painter, celebrated for his finely observed paintings of the Angus landscape and Dundee, Scotland, where he was based for most of his life....
(later RSA). Here, he met fellow artist Harry Robertson Craig, who would become his life-long partner. He later conducted postgraduate work at Dundee and gained a travelling scholarship which enabled him to further his studies in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. He subsequently studied at the Hospitalfield Advanced Art College in Arbroath
Arbroath
Arbroath or Aberbrothock is a former royal burgh and the largest town in the council area of Angus in Scotland, and has a population of 22,785...
.
In 1939, at the dawn of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Hennessy returned to his native Ireland to work as a professional painter. In 1940 he joined the Society of Dublin Painters which was co-founded by the artist Paul Henry
Paul Henry (painter)
Paul Henry was a Northern Irish artist noted for depicting the west of Ireland landscape with a spare post-impressionist style....
and spent that decade living between Cork and Dublin. In 1947 he was resident in Crosshaven
Crosshaven
Crosshaven is a village in County Cork, Ireland. Origins of the Irish name of Crosshaven include; - mouth of the river Sabhrann , and . The village is located in a scenic area with views of Wood, and Cork Harbour.-Transport:...
and by 1949 he had moved across Cork Harbour
Cork Harbour
Cork Harbour is a natural harbour and river estuary at the mouth of the River Lee in County Cork, Ireland. It is one of several which lay claim to the title of "second largest natural harbour in the world by navigational area" . Other contenders include Halifax Harbour in Canada, and Poole Harbour...
to nearby Cobh
Cobh
Cobh is a seaport town on the south coast of County Cork, Ireland. Cobh is on the south side of Great Island in Cork Harbour. Facing the town are Spike Island and Haulbowline Island...
. He and Craig later settled at a Raglan Lane studio in Ballsbridge
Ballsbridge
Ballsbridge is a suburb of Dublin, Ireland, named for the bridge spanning the River Dodder on the south side of the city. The sign on the bridge still proclaims it as "Ball's Bridge" in recognition of the fact that the original bridge in this location was built and owned by a Mr...
, Dublin.
In 1941, his work was exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy
Royal Hibernian Academy
The Royal Hibernian Academy is an artist-based and artist-oriented institution in Ireland, founded in Dublin in 1823.-History:The RHA was founded as the result of 30 Irish artists petitioning the government for a charter of incorporation...
(RHA) for the first time. Between 1941 and 1971 he exhibited every year (but for three occasions) at the RHA, cumulatively showing in the region of one hundred paintings. In 1948 he was elected associate to the RHA, and full member the following year. He also showed work at the Ritchie Hendriks Gallery, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, in addition to submitting pieces to the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
(RA) and the Royal Scottish Academy
Royal Scottish Academy
The Royal Scottish Academy is a Scottish organisation that promotes contemporary Scottish art. Founded in 1826, as the Royal Institution for the Encouragement of the Fine Arts, the RSA maintains a unique position in Scotland as an independently funded institution led by eminent artists and...
(RSA). As well as regularly exhibiting in group exhibitions, he also had several solo shows, among which included: a retrospective at the Dublin Painters Gallery in 1951; a London show in 1956; a flower painting show at the Ritchie Hendriks Gallery in 1957; Dublin winter shows in 1967 and 1978; as well as exhibitions in Chicago and his native Cork.
Immensely productive but something of an outsider within the Irish Academy, his increasingly individual and precise style has been associated with Surrealism
Surrealism
Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for the visual artworks and writings of the group members....
and anticipates Photorealism
Photorealism
Photorealism is the genre of painting based on using the camera and photographs to gather information and then from this information creating a painting that appears photographic...
, while his subjects range from still lifes and interiors to landscapes and portraits. In 1939 he painted a portrait of Dr Eduard Hempel
Eduard Hempel
Eduard Hempel was the Nazi German Minister to Ireland between 1937 and 1945 — in the build up to and during The Emergency...
(as well as ones of his wife and their children, Liv and Berthold), who was the German Envoy to Ireland between 1937 and 1945. In 1957 he painted a portrait of his friend, the author Elizabeth Bowen
Elizabeth Bowen
Elizabeth Dorothea Cole Bowen, CBE was an Irish novelist and short story writer.-Life:Elizabeth Bowen was born on 7 June 1899 at 15 Herbert Place in Dublin, Ireland and was baptized in the nearby St Stephen's Church on Upper Mount Street...
(CBE) at her ancestral home of Bowen's Court, near Kildorrery
Kildorrery
Kildorrery is a village in north County Cork, Ireland. It lies at the crossroads of the N73 road from Mallow to Mitchelstown and the R512 from Kilmallock to Fermoy....
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, while in 1963 he painted Farewell to Ireland depicting President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
departing Ireland at Shannon Airport
Shannon Airport
Shannon Airport, is one of the Republic of Ireland's three primary airports along with Dublin and Cork. In 2010 around 1,750,000 passengers passed through the airport, making it the third busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland after Dublin and Cork, and the fifth busiest airport on the island...
five months prior to his assassination in Dallas, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
In later life, he and Craig traveled extensively in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, spending their winters for health reasons in Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
and Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
and their summers working in Cork and the West of Ireland. Patrick Hennessy died in Portugal on 30 December 1980 aged 65.
Examples of his work can be found in the public collections of the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery
Crawford Municipal Art Gallery
The Crawford Municipal Art Gallery is a public art gallery in the city of Cork, Ireland.Since 1979 the Gallery has been located in the centre of Cork in what used to be the Cork Customs House, built in 1724...
; the Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane; the Irish Museum of Modern Art
Irish Museum of Modern Art
The Irish Museum of Modern Art also known as IMMA, is Ireland's leading national institution exhibiting and collecting modern and contemporary art. The museum opened in May 1991 and is located in Royal Hospital Kilmainham, a 17th-century building near Heuston Station to the west of Dublin's city...
(IMMA); the Limerick City Gallery of Art (LCGA); the National Gallery of Ireland
National Gallery of Ireland
The National Gallery of Ireland houses the Irish national collection of Irish and European art. It is located in the centre of Dublin with one entrance on Merrion Square, beside Leinster House, and another on Clare Street. It was founded in 1854 and opened its doors ten years later...
(NGI); the National Self-Portrait Collection of Ireland (NSPCI) at the University of Limerick
University of Limerick
The University of Limerick is a university in Ireland near the city of Limerick on the island's west coast. It was established in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick and became a university by statute in 1989 in accordance with the University of Limerick Act 1989...
(UL); and in the collections of University College Cork (UCC) and University College Dublin
University College Dublin
University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
(UCD).
Selected Exhibitions
- Solo Exhibition: Dublin Painters Gallery, 1951
- Group Exhibition: Irish Art 1900-1950: Cork Rosc Exhibition (curated by Hilary Pyle), Crawford Art Gallery, 1975/6
- Group Exhibition: Catching a Likeness – Portraits on Paper National Gallery of Ireland (NGI), September 3 – December 9, 2007
- Group Exhibition: Hero With a Thousand Faces, Crawford Art Gallery, March 6 – May 30, 2009
- Associated Exhibition: Connolly/Cleary: Still life with..., Limerick City Gallery of Art (LCGA), June 3, 2010
- Group Exhibition: The Politics of Memory (curated by Shane Cullen), Crawford Art Gallery, November 20, 2010 – Mid-2011
Selected Works
- Self-Portrait, National Self-Portrait Gallery of Ireland (NSPCI), University Of Limerick, Ireland
- Portrait of Liv Hempel (1939)
- Exiles (1943), Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, Dublin, Ireland
- Portrait of Elizabeth Bowen at Bowen's Court (1957), Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, Ireland
- Farewell to Ireland (1963)
- Bird Still Life (1973), University College Cork, Ireland
External links
- Crawford Art Gallery
- Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane
- Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA)
- Lewis Glucksman Gallery, University College Cork
- Limerick City Gallery of Art (LCGA)
- National Gallery of Ireland (NGI)
- National Self-Portrait Collection of Ireland (NSPCI), University of Limerick
- "Patrick Hennessy Portraits at Whyte's", Art Antiques Ireland