Lot 79: John O'Connor ARHA RI (1830-1889) THE

John O'Connor ARHA RI (1830-1889) THE SHIPBUILDER'S CART oil on canvas signed lower left 56 by 66cm., 22 by 26in. John O'Connor was born in the Derry and began his career in the arts as an assistant in scene-paintings at the Belfast theatre and later in the Dublin theatre. In 1848 he went to London to begin his career as an artist and was employed at Drury Lane, and later at the Haymarket theatre where he became principal scene-painter in 1863. He was renowned in this field for his architectural compositions and for his use of colour. His popularity as an artist attracted the attention of the Royal Family who became patrons of his work. In 1849 he returned in Ireland and painted a Diorama of the Queen's Visit, which was exhibited at the Chinese Gallery in London and five years later began to exhibit at the Society of British Artists and later at the Royal Academy in 1857. The subject of his works included views in London and the Continent. In later years he exhibited at the new Water-colour Society, becoming a member of same in 1887 and to the Royal Hibernian Academy from 1875 onwards, to which he was elected an Associate in 1883. In 1870 and 1871 he visited France in the company of Lord Ronald Gower, and in 1872 they took over a studio together in Sir Joshua Reynold's old house in Leicester Square. This location was to become the hub of the arts world in London for the duration of their occupancy there. The National Gallery of Ireland's collection holds a drawing by O'Connor, Old York Gate, 1861, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1872 and presented to the Gallery by the artist. His works can also be found in the British Museum.