Nicholas Joseph Crowley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicholas Joseph Crowley
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Self portrait (c. 1854)
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| Born | 6 December 1819 Dublin, Ireland
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| Died | 4 November 1857 (aged 37) London
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| Nationality | Irish |
| Occupation | Portrait painter |
Nicholas Joseph Crowley (born December 6, 1819 – died November 4, 1857) was a talented Irish artist. He was known for painting both everyday scenes (called genre paintings) and pictures of people (called portraits). Many people thought he was excellent at painting portraits, especially when he painted groups of people together.
Early Life and Learning
Nicholas Joseph Crowley was born in Dublin, Ireland, on December 6, 1819. He had two older brothers. From a very young age, people noticed that Nicholas was extremely gifted in art. He was considered an artistic prodigy, meaning he had amazing talent even as a child.
He started his art training at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) schools in 1827. When he was just 13 years old, in 1832, he joined the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) as a student. He had already shown his first painting, a portrait of Dr. William Crolly, at the RHA in 1827! He continued to show his artwork there every year until he passed away. Between 1828 and 1832, the RDS even gave him special awards for his artistic skills.
A Growing Career
Between 1835 and 1836, Crowley lived in Belfast. During this time, he painted many portraits. One famous work from this period was Fortune telling by cup tossing.
His talent was quickly recognized. On June 18, 1836, he became an Associate of the RHA. Less than a year later, on May 27, 1837, he became a full member of the Academy. This made him the youngest person ever elected as a member of the RHA! Crowley also helped start the Association of Artists in Belfast in 1836.
Crowley's art began to reach a wider audience. His painting, The Eventful Consultation, was shown in London in 1835 at the Royal Academy. After that, his paintings were often displayed at the important Royal Academy Exhibitions and the British Institution.
In 1837, Crowley moved to London, England, where he lived for the rest of his life. He would sometimes visit Dublin, but London became his main home and workplace.
Later Life and Passing
Nicholas Joseph Crowley passed away at his home in London on November 4, 1857. His nephew, Henry Crowley, also became an artist and showed his work in Dublin.
Famous Paintings
Here are some of the notable works painted by Nicholas Joseph Crowley:
- Tyrone Power as Conor O'Gorman in "The groves of Blarney"
- Taking the veil
- Charles Abbott, Lord Mayor of Dublin (1825) – this painting was sadly lost in a fire in 1908.
- Prince Napoleon Louis Bonaparte (1840)
- Mary Aikenhead, who started the Sisters of Charity in Ireland (1844)
- Madam Celeste-Elliott as Marie Ducange – this painting was later made into a print by T. Fairland.
- Children of S. R. McClean (1850)
- George Colley (1856)
