James Mannin facts for kids

James Mannin was an important artist and teacher who lived in Ireland. He was a painter and a draughtsman, which means he was skilled at drawing. He died in June 1779.

About James Mannin

We don't know much about James Mannin's early life. Some people thought he might have been from France. However, his last name, Mannin, is often found in northern Italy.

We first find records of James Mannin in Dublin, Ireland, in 1753. He was working as a designer of fancy patterns. This work caught the eye of the Dublin Society. This group helped artists and designers in Ireland. Mannin worked closely with them for the rest of his life.

During the 1750s, he created designs for things like carpets and picture frames. In 1767, he designed a special chair for the Society's president. A carver named Richard Cranfield made the chair. James Mannin married Mary Maguire on October 18, 1769, at St Andrew's Church in Dublin. He lived in Lazer's Hill from 1770 to 1775. Later, he moved to King Street.

Teaching Art in Ireland

Starting in 1753, Mannin also worked as a private drawing teacher. In May 1754, he began teaching young Irish artists as apprentices. An apprentice is someone who learns a skill from a master. He taught them how to draw and design ornaments. This was the first time that design was formally taught in Ireland. It showed how much the Dublin Society wanted to improve design quality.

Mannin became a paid employee of the Dublin Society in May 1756. He was the master of their school of ornament. He kept this job almost until he died. During his time there, he taught many famous Irish artists. These included John James Barralet, George Mullins, and Thomas Roberts.

Mannin's Artistic Style

We don't have any of Mannin's own drawings that have survived today. But because of his influence, we believe he liked the French art style called Rococo. Rococo art is known for being very decorative and playful.

The Dublin Society was very interested in how art was taught in France. They bought prints of French artworks to use as teaching tools. The Society had a big role in shaping what Mannin taught. They wanted to make sure the teaching was very good. For example, in March 1765, he was told to teach students how to draw patterns based on Hamburg damasks. Damask is a type of fabric with patterns woven into it. This helped support the Irish linen industry. Mannin also taught drawing for engraving, which is a way to create images on metal or wood.

His Own Artworks

Even while teaching, Mannin continued to paint on his own. He painted landscapes, which are pictures of nature. He also painted still lifes, which are pictures of objects, and flowers. In 1765 and 1766, he showed his work at the Society of Artists in Hawkins Street.

The Dublin Society gave him awards for his landscape paintings three times. He won in 1763, 1769, and 1770. He also created his own designs for other things. In 1765, he designed a staircase for the Society of Artists. In 1770, he designed carriages for coach builders. He also taught art privately. In June 1766, he even complained that his teaching duties for the Dublin Society took up too much time. This made it hard for him to do his private work.

Mannin became sick in early 1779. He suggested that John James Barralet take over his job as master of the ornamental drawing school. The Dublin Society announced his death on June 24, 1779.