FRANCIS S WALKER RHA IRISH IMPRESSIONIST OIL PAINTING

ARTIST. FRANCIS S WALKER  (1848- 1916)

TITLE. ST FRANCIS LEAVING IRELAND FOR IONA

DESCRIPTION.   Irish impressionist oil from the late 19th century depicting a scene from Irish cultural history.  This  seascape shows St Columba leaving Ireland for Iona painted by Irish Academy artist Francis S Walker. Their perilous plight at the start of such a journey in rough seas in conveyed with a heavy brush technique and sobre skys.

Signed lower right Francis S Walker

Provenance - In 1984 Sotheby had up for auction Scenes from the Life of St Columba - eight in oils in total. 

CONDITION. 
Oil on canvas.  Image size 39cm by 58cm and in good condition. Has had on old repair a long time ago and a minor spec of paint missing. 

FRAME.
Housed in a modern gold gallery frame with linen liner which compliments the picture 48cm by 68cm. In excellent condition and ready to hang

BIOGRAPHY AND EXHIBITION HISTORY.  FRANCIS S WALKER RHA (1848-1916) first exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy in 1863 and between then and 1916 showed 122 works.  He won the Taylor prize in 1865. He was active in as an assistant teacher at the Dublin School of Art in 1867.  On moving to London in 1868 he worked for Daziel Brothers. His work was seen at the Dudley Galleries in 1868.  He showed 52 works at the Royal academy from 1871-1915. He was elected associate of the RHA in 1878.  He painted many oils in Ireland and England which were reproduced in Poets Country - showing landscapes of the great British poets and of Ireland in Frank Matthew's Ireland. 

After 1900 In England he sent works to Glasgow Institute of Fine arts, Royal Society of Artists Birmingham,  Walker Art Gallery Liverpool  and Manchester City Ar Gallery. His works are housed in the permanent collections in the National gallery of Ireland. Leeds City Art Gallery, London : british Museum: Vicoria and Albert Museum.

EXHIBITED   Royal Academy 52