Paul Henry is most famous for painting landscapes of the West of Ireland. He used strong colours in his paintings.
The Potato Diggers (1912) by Paul Henry (1876-1958)
Paul Henry (1876-1958), The Potato Diggers (1912). This image of peasants draws on the work of French painters of peasants. The potato diggers are positioned above eye level, conferring a nobility on their hard work and fortitude. Courtesy of the National Gallery of Ireland
Photo (c) National Gallery of IrelandThe Potato Diggers (1912) by Paul Henry (1876-1958)
Photo (c) National Gallery of Ireland
Photo (c) National Gallery of Ireland
The Potato Diggers (1912) by Paul Henry (1876-1958)
Paul Henry (1876-1958), The Potato Diggers (1912). This image of peasants draws on the work of French painters of peasants. The potato diggers are positioned above eye level, conferring a nobility on their hard work and fortitude. Courtesy of the National Gallery of Ireland
Photo (c) National Gallery of IrelandHenry was born in Belfast in 1876 and went to the Belfast Government School of Art when he finished school. In 1889, he went to Paris to study. He began to use charcoal to draw and this became his favourite material to use. A year later, in 1899, he moved to London. There he worked as a newspaper illustrator and an art teacher.
Eventually, Henry moved to Achill Island off the coast of Co. Mayo with his wife Grace. He painted many scenes of daily life in the west. These included peasants digging potatoes, cutting turf, harvesting seaweed, and many other scenes.
Lakeside Cottage (c.1929) by Paul Henry (1876-1957)
Lakeside Cottage (c.1929) by Paul Henry (1876-1957)
Courtesy of Dublin City Gallery, the Hugh LaneLakeside Cottage (c.1929) by Paul Henry (1876-1957)
Courtesy of Dublin City Gallery, the Hugh Lane
Courtesy of Dublin City Gallery, the Hugh Lane
Lakeside Cottage (c.1929) by Paul Henry (1876-1957)
Lakeside Cottage (c.1929) by Paul Henry (1876-1957)
Courtesy of Dublin City Gallery, the Hugh Lane
'In Connemara' painted by Paul Henry
'In Connemara' painted by Paul Henry. This is an example of a great work of art that has been influenced by the physical landscape.
Courtesy of the Shane Grant collection.'In Connemara' painted by Paul Henry
Courtesy of the Shane Grant collection.
Courtesy of the Shane Grant collection.
'In Connemara' painted by Paul Henry
'In Connemara' painted by Paul Henry. This is an example of a great work of art that has been influenced by the physical landscape.
Courtesy of the Shane Grant collection.In 1919 he moved to Dublin and helped to set up the Society of Dublin Painters. He became well known for his paintings of the west of Ireland. Many of his works printed as posters for tourist and Government leaflets.
He later moved to Wicklow and died in 1958.