Cecil King (Irish painter) facts for kids

Cecil King (born 22 February 1921 – died 7 April 1986) was a famous Irish painter. He was born in Rathdrum, County Wicklow, Ireland. Cecil King mostly taught himself how to paint.

He started his career as a businessman. Even so, he had his first art show in 1959. He became a full-time artist in 1964. Cecil King lived for many years in Blackrock in Dublin. His art changed over time. He started with a style that showed strong feelings. Later, his paintings became known for their simple, clean shapes and bold colors.

Who Was Cecil King?

Cecil King was an important Irish artist from the 20th century. He is remembered for his unique way of using colors and shapes. He showed that you can follow your passion for art, even if you start in a different career.

His Artistic Journey

Cecil King's path to becoming a full-time artist was interesting. He worked in business for many years. But he always loved to paint. In 1959, he had his first solo art show. This means his paintings were the only ones on display. It was a big step for him.

By 1964, he decided to focus only on art. This was a major change in his life. He spent the rest of his career creating beautiful and thoughtful paintings.

What Was His Art Style Like?

When Cecil King first started painting, his art was in an expressionist style. This means his paintings often showed strong emotions or feelings.

Later, in the late 1960s, his style changed. His mature works became very distinctive. They had a cool, simple look. He often used clean, solid blocks of color. These blocks were usually cut or divided at sharp angles. This made his paintings look very modern and striking.

Where Can You See His Art?

Cecil King's paintings are held in many important art collections. This means his work is kept safe and shown in museums and galleries. People can visit these places to see his art.

Some of the places where his work can be found include:

• The Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery in Dublin.
• The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) in Dublin.
• The Tate gallery in London, England.
• Dublin City University.
• The Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
• The Arts Council of Ireland.
• The National University of Ireland, Galway.
• Trinity College, Dublin.
• The Government Art Collection in the UK.

Special exhibitions of his work have been held over the years. For example, a big show of his art was at the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery in 1981. Another important exhibition was held at the Irish Museum of Modern Art in 2008. These shows help more people learn about his art.