James Mahony orMahoney (1810–1879) was a leading nineteenth century Irish artist and engraver.[1]
His father was ajoiner inCork, Ireland, and little is known of his early life. He seems to have studied painting and drawing inRome, travelling in Italy and France until aged 32 when he returned to Cork. He quickly became known for hiswatercolour paintings, with townscapes from Rome,Venice,Paris, andRouen.[1]
His work included "highly romantic" engravings of scenes from Irish life, such as of theGreat Irish Famine and ofSaint Patrick's Day, the national day of Ireland.[2] His famine sketches, drawn on the spot inSkibbereen andClonakilty inWest Cork, commissioned by and published in theIllustrated London News, roused public opinion to persuade the British government to take action to alleviate the famine.[1][3][4][5]
In 1853, he painted a major work,The Visit by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to the Fine Art Hall of the Irish Industrial Exhibition, at theIrish Industrial Exhibition inDublin. In 1856, he was made an associate of theRoyal Hibernian Academy (ARHA), where he exhibited until he moved to London. He exhibited watercolours there at theRoyal Academy between 1866 and 1877, working as a freelance illustrator for theIllustrated London News. He prepared illustrations, too, for other journals, newspapers and books including an edition of the works ofCharles Dickens. He died in London.[1][6]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
