Dublin has long been a wellspring of artistic inspiration, attracting and nurturing many notable artists. From cubists to landscape painters, the city's rich history is reflected in its creative legacy. Here are some of the prominent artists who have called Dublin home.
Francis Bacon, a prominent and distinctive Irish painter, is renowned for his unsettling and often disturbing works. Born the second of five children, Bacon explored Berlin and Paris before settling in London to pursue his artistic career. A self-taught artist, Bacon's works are marked by his wilful originality and departure from contemporary traditions. One of his most famous pieces, "Study after Velazquez's Portrait of Pope Innocent X," commonly known as "The Screaming Pope," transforms the might and authority of Velazquez's pope into pure chaos. A plaque can be seen at 63 Lower Baggot Street in Dublin marking Bacon’s birthplace.
You’ll notice Jack Butler Yeats’, one of Ireland’s most prolific artists, works displayed in most Irish art museums. Born in London in 1871, Jack, brother to William Butler Yeats, was raised in Sligo by his grandparents and the landscapes clearly left an indelible mark on the young boy. Initially an illustrator, Jack began exhibiting watercolours in 1895 before moving to oil painting. He lived for a time in Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin, and passed away in the capital on March 28th at the age of 85.
Best known for her cubist works, Mainie Jellett is celebrated as 'the woman who brought modernism to Ireland.' She exhibited the country’s first abstract painting, "Decoration," in 1923. Jellett was a fervent advocate for modern art in Ireland, bridging contemporary artistic practices between Europe and Ireland. Born at 37 Fitzwilliam Square, her legacy is monumental, with her works displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland and the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA).
A contemporary Dublin artist born in 1944, Jim Fitzpatrick is renowned for his intricate and detailed works inspired by Irish Celtic myths and legends. He is also celebrated for the iconic Che Guevara poster, "Viva Che!" This world-famous artwork has become synonymous with Fitzpatrick’s name.
Mary Swanzy was an Irish artist well-regarded for her cubist and futurist works. Her career spanned the tumultuous periods of the First World War and the Irish War of Independence. Swanzy travelled extensively through Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Hawaii, and Samoa, leaving a global footprint. At her peak, her works were exhibited at the Paris Salon des Independents and the Beaux Arts alongside many influential artists of her time. Although her name and work faded from the public eye, a retrospective held at IMMA in 2018 celebrated her unique contribution and style.
The Guinness Storehouse is currently hosting an art exhibition in collaboration with final year students from the BTEC Higher National Diploma in Classical & Computer Animation at Ballyfermot College of Further Education in Dublin. Located on the fourth floor, this display is a highlight of the Storehouse experience. By purchasing a Guinness Storehouse Experience ticket, visitors can enjoy this showcase of talent alongside their tour.