Richard Barter (sculptor) facts for kids

Richard Barter (born around 1824 – died 5 January 1896) was a talented Irish sculptor and architect. He is well-known for his beautiful sculptures and for designing many special bathhouses.

Who Was Richard Barter?

Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Richard Barter was born in Macroom, County Cork, Ireland, around the year 1824. When he was about 20 years old, in 1844, he began studying at the Royal Dublin Society's School. He was a very promising student.

In 1847, while still a student, Richard won a prize from the Irish Art Union. He won it for his small statue, called a statuette, of Venus and Cupid. During his studies, he also became friends with the famous Irish leader, Daniel O'Connell.

After his studies, Richard Barter moved to London for a few years. There, he met and became lifelong friends with another famous sculptor, John Henry Foley. Richard later returned to Ireland. In 1853, he settled in St Ann's Hill, near Blarney in County Cork. Besides being a sculptor and architect, he was also a musician who played the flageolet, a type of flute.

A Talent for Sculpture and Design

Richard Barter was a skilled artist. He mostly created portrait busts, which are sculptures showing only the head and shoulders of a person. He also made small groups of figures.

In 1851, his work was shown at the Great Exhibition in London. This was a huge event that displayed amazing inventions and art from around the world. He also exhibited his art with the Royal Hibernian Academy in 1845, 1847, and 1851. He often showed miniature busts made from ivory. From 1864 to 1874, he also displayed his work at the Royal Academy.

Designing Unique Turkish Baths

Richard Barter became very involved in designing a special type of bathhouse. These were known as Turkish baths. They were inspired by ancient Roman baths and traditional Islamic hammams. These baths used hot, dry air to help people relax and feel better.

The First Successful Turkish Bath

In 1856, Richard Barter helped build a Turkish bath at St Ann's. This was for a health center run by another person named Dr. Richard Barter. Dr. Barter had tried to build one before, but it was too steamy and not hot enough.

To solve this, Richard Barter traveled to Rome. He studied the design of ancient Roman baths. What he learned helped him create the first successful Victorian Turkish bath in 1856. This bath was built for the health center's patients and staff. Today, these baths are sometimes called Irish-Roman baths, honoring both Richard Barters.

Famous Bathhouses He Designed

Richard Barter went on to design many more Turkish baths for Dr. Barter. People at the time praised his great skill in architecture and art. He designed at least eight, and possibly nine, of these unique buildings.

Some of the famous Turkish baths he designed include:

• The first public Turkish bath in Ireland, located in Grenville Place, Cork (1859).
• Baths in the beautiful grounds of the Killarney Hotel (1859).
• The distinctive baths in Lincoln Place, Dublin (1860), which looked a bit like buildings from the Middle East.
• Baths in Limerick (1860) and Belfast (1860).
• The Oriental Baths in London (1862), though they did not look very "oriental" from the outside.
• The final set of baths at St Ann's Health Center in 1870.

It is also thought that he designed the Turkish baths in Waterford (1861), but this is not fully confirmed.

In 1867, Dr. Barter decided to open a new bathhouse in Dublin. He bought a hotel and renamed it the Dublin Hammam. Richard Barter was overseeing the building of these new baths when Dr. Barter passed away. Dr. Barter's son, also named Richard, took over the health center and made sure the Dublin Hammam was finished.

His Legacy and Later Life

Richard Barter passed away at St Ann's on 5 January 1896. He was buried in St Finn Barr's Cemetery in Cork.

Many people wondered if Richard Barter the architect was related to Dr. Richard Barter. However, despite having the same name, they were not family. The doctor's son, also named Richard, later became famous for his work in agriculture.

Experts like Professor Paula Murphy from UCD have noted that Richard Barter might have become even more famous if he had stayed in London. However, he chose to return to Ireland, leaving behind a wonderful legacy of art and architecture.

Notable Works

Here are some of Richard Barter's well-known sculptures:

• Bust of Daniel O'Connell (1847)
• Bust of Catherine Hayes (1851)
• Bust of Thomas Little
• Bust of Charles Stewart Parnell