Leo Whelan Sold at Auction Prices

Leo Whelan RHA (1892 - 1956) The Cello Player Oil on canvas, 103 x 85cm (40½ x 33½'') Signed, also signed and inscribed verso Provenance: Collection of the Hon. Francis D. Murnaghan Jr., thence by descent. Whelan worked within the acade

Leo Whelan RHA (1892 - 1956) The Cello Player Oil on canvas, 103 x 85cm (40½ x 33½'') Signed, also signed and inscribed verso Provenance: Collection of the Hon. Francis D. Murnaghan Jr., thence by descent. Whelan worked within the academic tradition and his portraits often favoured a more restricted palette with his sitters presented in a focused and formal manner. They are similar in some respects to the Dutch genre scenes, following an upright composition, painted looking into a domestic interior, of a kitchen or living room such as A Kitchen Interior with Maid (sold these rooms, 2013). His figures are absorbed in their respective activity unaware of being observed. In this wonderfully presented portrait, a peaceful silence pervades the scene, and we are called on to imagine the sounds emanating from the cello. Whelan is noted for his ability to render the hands of his figures with particular skill. In this work, the elegant fingers are poised on the strings, in the other hand the musician holds the bow of the cello, drawing out the notes. He wears a formal black suit jacket, white shirt and bow tie. There is a wonderful detail captured in the red handkerchief that hangs from the jacket pocket, while his hat and coat are placed on a stool behind him as if he has just arrived in the room. Is he practicing a piece of music or performing for an unseen crowd Whelan leaves this open ended, pushing narrative elements beyond the picture plane. Whelan uses a series of framing devices within the image, with the thick heavy curtain hanging in front of the window which looks out onto, and, in through another window beyond. There is a strong use of vertical and horizontal lines in the window frame, repeated in the geometric pattern of the brick wall. Windows appear in many of his works, allowing him to play with spatial boundaries, and the patterns of the light falling across a room. The same male model can be seen in Whelan’s The Fiddler from 1932 (Crawford Art Gallery, Cork) which he exhibited in the RHA in the same year. In that work the sitter turns to face us, his instrument balanced on one knee. He wears the same round spectacles and white collared shirt. Unfortunately, we do not know the identity of the sitter and it is interesting that he is shown playing two very different instruments. In both works Whelan presents a naturalistic and sensitively characterised study of the act of playing music. Niamh Corcoran, October 2024

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) PORTRAIT OF MICHAEL COLLINS, c.1922

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) PORTRAIT OF MICHAEL COLLINS, c.1922 oil on canvas signed lower right (folded onto stretcher on reverse) h:24  w:19.50 in. Provenance: Family of the artist; Gorry Gallery, Dublin, c.1960s; Private collection Leo Whelan painted three portraits of Michael Collins from life in 1922. One was for General Headquarters of The Irish Free State National Army, now in the collection of The National Gallery of Ireland, another was purchased by Martin Walton, and the present work, which he retained in his personal collection and which was sold by his family through The Gorry Gallery in the 1960s.

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) ACQUAINTED WITH GRIEF, 1919

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) ACQUAINTED WITH GRIEF, 1919 oil on canvas signed, titled, dated [July] and with artist's label on reverse h:23.50  w:17 in. Exhibited: RHA, Dublin, 1920, catalogue no. 32

LEO WHELAN RHA (1892 - 1956)

Portrait. Inscribed: To Charlie from Leo Whelan 1933. Oil on canvas. Enclosed in a gilt frame. Provenance: The Dr. Kevin Moynihan Collection, Macroom, Co. Cork. Approximate Time: 12:25 Lot No: 200

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) THE CABIN

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) THE CABIN oil on board signed on reverse h:10.25  w:14.25 in.

Attributed to Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) THE TRAVELLING MAN

Attributed to Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) THE TRAVELLING MAN oil on board h:9  w:10 in.

LEO WHELAN RHA (1892-1956) Portrait of Guendolin Wilkinson, Seated in Elegant Interior Oil on canvas, 126 x 100cm Signed Exhibited: Dublin, Royal Hibernian Academy 1926, catalogue no.74.

LEO WHELAN RHA (1892-1956) Portrait of Guendolin Wilkinson, Seated in Elegant Interior Oil on canvas, 126 x 100cm Signed Exhibited: Dublin, Royal Hibernian Academy 1926, catalogue no.74.

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956)Portrait of Louisa LaveryOil on canvas, 75 x 62cm (29½ x 24½'')Signed

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956)Portrait of Louisa LaveryOil on canvas, 75 x 62cm (29½ x 24½'')Signed

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) PORTRAIT OF WILLIAM EDWARD ELLIS M.A., LL.D (1853-1926) 1913

signed and dated upper left; signed again and inscribed [January 1913 exhibited Royal Hibernian Academy]

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956)Portrait of Harry Boland T.D.Oil on canvas on board, 46 x 35cm (18 x 13¾'')Signed; also signed and inscribed versoProvenance: Stephen O'Mara, thence by descent to the current ownersStephen Mary O'Mara was born in Janu

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956)Portrait of Harry Boland T.D.Oil on canvas on board, 46 x 35cm (18 x 13¾'')Signed; also signed and inscribed versoProvenance: Stephen O'Mara, thence by descent to the current ownersStephen Mary O'Mara was born in January 1884 in Limerick, and educated by the Christian Brothers, and later at Clongowes Wood College. After the Easter Rising of 1916 he joined Sinn Fein. He married Nancy O'Brien on the 5 February 1918, at which time he was listed as a bacon merchant, living at Strand House in the city. He was appointed a member of the Sinn Fein Standing Committee (or Ard Chomhairle) for the December 1918 general election. Elected Mayor of Limerick in 1921 after the murder of Mayor George Clancy, he was re-elected in 1922 and 1923 but resigned before his term of office had expired. As the underground government's Special Envoy to the United States, he raised funds for the Republican Loans alongside Harry Boland and was honoured by being made a Trustee of Dail Eireann Funds. Stephen opposed the Treaty, taking a stand against his own brother Jim and, according to family history, was the only O'Mara to go ‘anti-Treaty’. During the Civil War he was arrested at Roscrea and imprisoned by the Free State. In later years he was appointed a member of the Commission of Vocational Organisations and before his death in 1959, was appointed by President de Valera to the Council of State.He developed the bacon processing company, O’Mara’s Ltd, which his grandfather had founded and under his guidance the firm opened up bacon curing factories in Claremorris and Letterkenny.

LEO WHELAN, R.H.A. | The Artist's Niece Lena

oil on panel

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) ORBY, 1910

signed and dated lower right

After Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) Portrait of Michael Collins

After Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) Portrait of Michael Collins A colour lithographic print of the 1922 portrait by Leo Whelan, published by Walton's Music Shop in 1972 to mark the 50th anniversary of his death, framed. h:24  w:17 in. Other Notes: The original painting is owned by the Walton family, who were supporters of the republican movement and Martin Walton was interned in Ballykinlar in 1921 where he formed a prisoners' orchestra. Later they would support Michael Collins and the Treaty side. Although 1,000 of these prints were supposedly ordered in 1972 for Collins' Anniversary it is believed that many fewer are actually in existence.

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956)The Kerry FiddlerOil on canvas laid on board, 39.5 x 31cm (15½ x 12¼'')Dedicated by the artist 'To Tim Mulhull from Leo Whelan'Like many of Whelan's genre pieces, this is a blunt yet sympathetic look at the poverty that

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956)The Kerry FiddlerOil on canvas laid on board, 39.5 x 31cm (15½ x 12¼'')Dedicated by the artist 'To Tim Mulhull from Leo Whelan'Like many of Whelan's genre pieces, this is a blunt yet sympathetic look at the poverty that characterised rural life at the turn of the century. The subject of the old countryman is one which crops up again and again in Whelan's early paintings, many of which were based on character sketches executed in Kerry in the 1920s. Genre studies were Whelan's forte, often painted featuring studio props. An example of this would be the violin hanging in the background which not only alludes to the strong Irish tradition of folk music, but also appears in other works, most memorably in 'The Fiddler' (coll. Crawford Art Gallery).In this work, the bare country cottage interior is permeated with a cold blue light, illuminating its stark interior. The subdued palette is enlivened by touches of dark crimson and blue. This is a typical example of Whelan’s early work, an unobtrusive but well-executed genre study.Our thanks to Tracy Fahey whose previous writings formed the basis of this catalogue entry.

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956)Portrait of a seated lady in a white dress, Oil on canvas, 124.5 x 102cm wide (49 x40'')SignedProvenance: Oriel Gallery, Dublin; Vincent Henderson collection, Hamilton Osborne King, October 1987, Lot 177

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956)Portrait of a seated lady in a white dress, Oil on canvas, 124.5 x 102cm wide (49 x40'')SignedProvenance: Oriel Gallery, Dublin; Vincent Henderson collection, Hamilton Osborne King, October 1987, Lot 177

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) OUR LADY QUEEN OF IRELAND, 1933

signed in pencil in the margin and signed in the plate lower right; with title printed lower centre and a message from His Holiness, Pope Pius XI printed lower right and dated Sunday June 26, 1932

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) OUR LADY QUEEN OF IRELAND, 1933

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) OUR LADY QUEEN OF IRELAND, 1933 signed colour print signed in pencil in the margin and signed in the plate lower right; with title printed lower centre and a message from His Holiness, Pope Pius XI printed lower right and dated Sunday June 26, 1932 h:12.25  w:10.25 in. In its original frame of M.H. Gill O'Connell Street Dublin. The oil of Our Lady, Queen of Ireland was commissioned by the Gill family of Dublin - owners of the publishing company, which later became Gill and Macmillan. The model for Our Lady was Sarah ('Sally') Byrne (later Deale), a student of Seán Keating's at the College of Art and later a staff member there. Her portrait was widely painted by her contemporaries at the time, including Keating whose son Justin was the model for the figure of the child in the present work. Justin later became a Labour Party minister in the 1970s government of Liam Cosgrave. In his article - Taking a politician unawares - for the Irish Times on June 16, 2012 Michael Parsons reflected on the artwork commissioned for the 31st International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin 80 years ago and focused on the present work. Parson's noted that, "…According to the Catholic Bulletin, a framed print [similar to the present example we can assume] was presented to Pope Pius XI in the Vatican in 1934 and the artist was praised for depicting the "Madonna", for the first time, with "Gaelic features"."

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) WICKLOW HARBOUR, 1923

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) WICKLOW HARBOUR, 1923 oil on canvas signed and dated lower left; signed, titled and with artist's studio address [64 Dawson Street, Dublin] on reverse; also with provenance details on reverse h:22.50  w:29.75 in. Provenance: RHA, Dublin; Where purchased by the Hon. Fred K. Lawless; Later with the Hon. Lady 'Rose' McGrath, Dublin (1969); Private collection Exhibited: RHA, Dublin, 1924, no. 59 [£31-10-0]

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) Portrait of Desmond Edmund Conor McGillycuddy (c.mid 1950's)

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) Portrait of Desmond Edmund Conor McGillycuddy (c.mid 1950's) oil on canvas signed lower left & inscribed Leo Whelan RHA / 65 Eccles St. on reverse h:98  w:108 cm. Provenance: Family of the Sitter Private Collection Leo Whelan was born in Dublin in 1892 and was educated at Belvedere College and the Metropolitan School of Art where he was a student of William Orpen. Whelan first exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy in 1911, and was awarded the Taylor Art Scholarship five years later in 1916. He exhibited nearly 250 works at the RHA from 1911 until 1956. He painted many portraits of Irish Republican Army volunteers, including General Richard Mulcahy and Michael Collins. He was the designer of the first Free State commemorative stamp, issued in 1929 for the Centenary of Catholic Emancipation. Whelan painted portraits of Dermod McGillycuddy Esq. and Mrs Dermod McGillycuddy and these were exhibited at the RHA in Dublin, in 1939, numbers 205 and 210 respectively. In 1938 Patricia Kennedy and Dermot McGillycuddy (son of Senator Lieutenant Colonel The McGillycuddy of the Reeks), were married and their wedding ceremony is recorded in print and film as a High Society event in Dublin that year. The present work depicts their son who was born in 1949 at Bishopscourt, Kill, Co. Kildare. He is shown here with his Kerry Bog Pony, Jack Russell terrier and holding a hunting horn.

After Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) Michael Collins

After Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) Michael Collins A colour lithographic print of the 1922 portrait by Leo Whelan, published by Walton's Music Shop in 1972 to mark the 50th anniversary of his death, framed. The original painting is owned by the Walton family, who were suopporters of the republican movement and Martin Walton was interned in Ballykinlar in 1921 where he formed a prisoners' orchestra. Later they would support Michael Collins and the Treaty side. Although 1,000 of these prints were supposedly ordered in 1972 for Collins' Anniversary it is believed that much less are actually in existence. h:24  w:17 in.

After Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) Michael Collins A colour lithogr

After Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) Michael Collins A colour lithographic print of the 1922 portrait by Leo Whelan, issued by Walton's Music Shop in 1972 to mark the 50th anniversary of his death, 60 x 43cm, framed

Leo Whelan, R.H.A., 1892-1956

1956 Portrait of Edward Patrick Roche, (1874-1950) Archbishop of Newfoundland Oil on canvas (unlined) Signed, lower right, “Leo Whelan 1914” Inscribed on the reverse “Most Rev. Dr. Roche, Archbishop of Newfoundland painted by Leo Whelan 1917-18” Provenance: the Trustees of All Hallows’ College, Dublin, Ireland Worldwide shipping available: shipping@sheppards.ie

Leo Whelan, R.H.A., 1892-1956

1956 Portrait of Archbishop Joseph Clune, 1864 – 1935, of Perth, Western Australia, Australia Oil on canvas (unlined) Signed and dated lower left “Leo Whelan 1913” Provenance: the Trustees of All Hallows’ College, Dublin, Ireland Worldwide shipping available: shipping@sheppards.ie

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) Lambay Island

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) Lambay Island oil on canvas signed lower right, signed & titled on reverse h:20.60  w:25.60 cm. Provenance: The Artist's Family Private Collection

Leo Whelan, R.H.A., 1892-1956 Portrait of Bishop

Leo Whelan, R.H.A., 1892-1956 Portrait of Bishop Richard Scannell, 1845 - 1916, of Omaha Nebraska, USA Oil on canvas (unlined) Signed "Leo Whelan 1915" Provenance: the Trustees of All Hallows' College, Dublin, Ireland 96 x 54 inches 244 x 137 cm.

Leo Whelan, R.H.A., 1892 - 1956 Portrait of Edward

Leo Whelan, R.H.A., 1892 - 1956 Portrait of Edward Patrick Roche, (1874-1950) Archbishop of Newfoundland Oil on canvas (unlined) Signed, lower right, "Leo Whelan 1914" Inscribed on the reverse "Most Rev. Dr. Roche, Archbishop of Newfoundland painted by Leo Whelan 1917-18" Provenance: the Trustees of All Hallows' College, Dublin, Ireland 72 x 54 inches 183 x 137 cm.

Leo Whelan, R.H.A., 1892 - 1956 Portrait of a

Leo Whelan, R.H.A., 1892 - 1956 Portrait of a bishop in purple seated Oil on canvas (unlined) Signed, lower right "Leo Whelan" Provenance: the Trustees of All Hallows' College, Dublin, Ireland 72 x 54 inches 183 x 137 cm.

Leo Whelan, R.H.A., 1892-1956 Portrait of

Leo Whelan, R.H.A., 1892-1956 Portrait of Archbishop Joseph Clune, 1864 - 1935, of Perth, Western Australia, Australia Oil on canvas (unlined) Signed and dated lower left "Leo Whelan 1913" Provenance: the Trustees of All Hallows' College, Dublin, Ireland 72 x 54 inches 183 x 137 cm.

Leo Whelan, R.H.A., 1892 - 1956 Portrait of Bishop

Leo Whelan, R.H.A., 1892 - 1956 Portrait of Bishop Thomas Grace, 1841 - 1921, of Sacramento, California, USA Oil on canvas Signed, lower left "Leo Whelan" Provenance: the Trustees of All Hallows' College, Dublin, Ireland 72 x 54 inches 183 x 137 cm.

Leo Whelan, R.H.A., 1892-1956 Portrait if a priest

Leo Whelan, R.H.A., 1892-1956 Portrait if a priest seated in a garden Oil on canvas (unlined) Provenance: the Trustees of All Hallows' College, Dublin, Ireland Inscribed on the reverse "Posthumous Portrait of the Rev. James Moore Cay", Leo Whelan RHA 64 x 44 ½ inches 163 x 113 cm.

Leo Whelan, R.H.A., 1892 - 1956 Portrait of Bishop

Leo Whelan, R.H.A., 1892 - 1956 Portrait of Bishop Edmond Heelan, 1868 - 1948, of Sioux City, Iowa, USA Oil on canvas (unlined) Signed, lower left "Leo Whelan" Provenance: the Trustees of All Hallows' College, Dublin, Ireland 60 x 40 inches 153 x 102 cm.

Leo Whelan, R.H.A., 1892 - 1956 Portrait of Rev.

Leo Whelan, R.H.A., 1892 - 1956 Portrait of Rev. William Fortune, D.D., 1834 - 1917, seated on a garden bench Oil on canvas (unlined) Inscribed on reverse "Very Rev. William Fortune D.D. painted by Leo Whelan ARHA 1928 studio 64 Dawson St." Signed "Leo Whelan 1920 ARHA" Provenance: the Trustees of All Hallows' College, Dublin, Ireland 64 ½ x 45 ½ inches 164 x 116 cm.

Leo Whelan, R.H.A., 1892 - 1956 Portrait of

Leo Whelan, R.H.A., 1892 - 1956 Portrait of Archbishop William Walsh, 1841 - 1921, of Dublin, Ireland Oil on canvas (unlined) Signed "Leo Whelan 1923" Provenance: the Trustees of All Hallows' College, Dublin, Ireland Inscribed on reverse "posthumous portrait of his Grace Most Rev. Dr. Walsh DD Archbishop of Dublin painted by Leo Whelan, ARHA studio 64 Dawson St. Dublin" 56 x 41 inches 142 x 104 cm.

Leo Whelan R.H.A., 1892 - 1956 Leo Whelan R.H.A.,

Leo Whelan R.H.A., 1892 - 1956 Leo Whelan R.H.A., 1892 - 1956 Portrait of Archbishop [later Cardinal] John Joseph Glennon, 1862 - 1946, of St. Louis, Missouri, USA Oil on canvas (unlined) Signed, lower right "Leo Whelan" Provenance: the Trustees of All Hallows' College, Dublin, Ireland Leo Whelan was born in Dublin. He attended The Metropolitan School of Art. He was a pupil of William Orpen, whose influence can be seen in his paintwork and use of colour. He painted some landscapes but is best known for his formal portraits. Sitters including Michael Collins, Liam Cosgrove, John F. Costello and his friend, Count John McCormack. He exhibited 255 works at the R.H.A. between 1911 and 1957. His works can be seen at The National Gallery of Ireland, The Ulster Museum, Belfast and The National Portrait Gallery, London. 56 x 41 inches 142 x 104 cm.

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) COLLECTION OF BOOKS AND CATALOGUES FROM THE ARTIST'S LIBRARY

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) COLLECTION OF ARTIST'S ARCHIVAL MATERIAL INCLUDING INVENTORY RECORDS, CORRESPONDNCE, PHOTOGRAPHS AND PRES..

variously signed, inscribed and dated

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) LAMBAY ISLAND, 1911, A COLLECTIONS OF SKETCHES AND DRAWINGS and ARTIST'S ENGRAVED WATERMAN'S GOLD PROPELL.

oil signed and dated lower right; titled on reverse; works on paper or card variously signed and inscribed; gold propelling pencil engraved with artist's signature and hallmarked

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) A COLLECTION OF 22 PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS

pastel, signed lower right; canvases variously signed and inscribed

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) PORTRAIT OF MRS PATRICK LEONARD, 1913

signed and dated lower right

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) The Flower Seller (Portrait of the Artist's Sister)

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) The Flower Seller (Portrait of the Artist's Sister) oil on canvas on board signed lower right & verso h:19.50  w:15.50 cm. Provenance: Private Collection Inscribed on reverse (To Lilly and Mollie from Leo Whelan, Xmas 1938)

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) A Kitchen Interior with

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) A Kitchen Interior with Maid Oil on canvas, 63.5 x 63.5cm (25 x 25'') Signed. Inscribed 'interior sketch of Chemists Shop' verso Provenance: From the collection of Francis Murnaghan, Baltimore and his sale, Christies ''Irish Sale'' May 2004, Cat. No. 161, where purchased by current owner

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) ALAN, SON OF DR MARTIN DEMPSEY, 1917

signed and dated lower left; variously inscribed with sitter's name [Allen (sic) Dempsey] and Dublin Street [Baggot] inscribed on reverse; also with Daniel Egan framing label on reverse

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) PORTRAIT OF MR. GEORGE HILL TULLOCH [FORMER DIRECTOR OF BANK OF IRELAND]

signed upper left

1916 Rising: Leo Whelan (1892-1956) portrait of GPO Chaplain Father John Flanagan PORTRAIT OF FATHER JOHN FLANAGAN, DUBLIN, 1932

1916 Rising: Leo Whelan (1892-1956) portrait of GPO Chaplain Father John Flanagan John Flanagan was born in Dublin in 1872. He studied for the Priesthood at Clonliffe College, Dublin and Propaganda College, Rome, being ordained in 1896. In 1901 he became curate to the Pro-Cathedral and was present there in 1916 when the Rebellion broke out. He was known to the volunteers and respected by them, so much so that Eoin MacNeill had sent him a letter after his decision to countermand the order to mobilise stating that anyone with influence, including Flanagan, should advise the men to go home and take off their uniforms. Shortly after the outbreak of the Rebellion Flanagan was called to the nearby GPO by a young lady who told him there was a Volunteer dying. Max Caulfield in his book 'The Easter Rebellion' noted how "he went back into the church to pick up the Viaticum, and, accompanied by a friend, set off for the Post Office by a circuitous route. The military allowed him to pass through their lines in Great Britain Street and near Moore Street without difficulty. But while negotiating the latter street, a sniper, whether military or rebel he was unable to tell opened fire on them and his friend was shot dead. Father Flanagan, despite the bullets which continued to fly around him, knelt and anointed the dead man. Then, shaken, but still determined to fulfil his priestly duty if God so willed, he pressed on towards Henry Street where the rebels spotted him and signalled him to enter through buildings at the rear of the Post Office… He was led to the wounded Volunteer and after attending to him, saw Pearse, who urged him to stay, pointing out that the men felt the need of a chaplain." Here he stayed for the remainder of the Rebellion servicing the spiritual and medical needs of the rebels. Various members of the GPO Garrison recalled in later years the brave actions of Flanagan during that week "…not alone did he minister to the GHQ wounded since Monday but also to the non-combatants and British soldiers who fell in the streets. Apparently without a thought for his own personal safety…" Towards the end of the Rebellion the GPO wounded were removed from their positions and led by Father Flanagan towards the Jervis Street Hospital. Before leaving Flanagan was approached by The O'Rahilly who asked him for a Last Absolution and blessing saying "Father, I am afraid we'll never meet again in this world." O'Rahilly's words would prove to be prophetic and Flanagan went on his way leading the casualties to hospital. One eye witness recorded that "… their safe arrival was due in large messure to the efforts of Father Flanagan first in the Coliseum (Prince's Street) when the fire attacked it, next in getting by the blazing barricade in Prince's Street and especially by his tact in treating with the British forces encountered en route." Following the Rebellion and the War of Independence he was appointed Parish Priest of Fairview and Marino where he facilitated and carried out large amounts of charity work. This portrait was painted by Leo Whelan in 1932, the year of the 31st International Eucharistic Congress, held in Dublin. During which he was commissioned to carry out a number of works. A student of William Orpen, Whelan became recognised as a talented and respected portrait artist. He painted many of the well known Republican leaders and figures of the period including Richard Mulcahy, Michael Collins and Thomas Ashe, the latter portrait being sold by Whyte's for €40,000. Canon John Flanagan died on 16 December 1935 and is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery. His funeral was attended by large numbers including the Lord Mayor of Dublin Alfie Byrne, W. T Cosgrave and veterans of the GPO Garrison. The large obituaries which the national newspapers published shortly after his death bear testament to the amazing life which he led and the impact he had on Dublin. PORTRAIT OF FATHER JOHN FLANAGAN, DUBLIN, 1932 h:22  w:17 in.

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) PORTRAIT OF W.H. MORTON ESQ., FORMER GENERAL MANAGER OF GREAT SOUTHERN RAILWAYS & FOUNDING DIRECTOR OF AE...

signed lower right; signed titled and dated on reverse

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) REAR VIEW FROM 65 ECCLES STREET, DUBLIN [THE ARTIST'S HOME]

signed lower right

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) THE MIRROR, 1912

signed and dated lower right

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956) PORTRAIT OF DESMOND EDMUND CONOR MCGILLYCUDDY, c.mid-1950s

signed lower left; inscribed [Leo Whelan RHA / 65 Eccles St.] on reverse