Best Irish Artists: Painters
A Personal View of the Top Creative Practitioners in Fine Art Painting in Ireland, by Neil Collins MA, LLB (Editor).
Encyclopedia of Irish and World Art - HOMEPAGE - List of Top Irish Painters

I Took Your Advice.
Clea Van der Grijn (b.1967)
Dublin-born Expressionist.

TOP PRICED IRISH ART
For details of auction records
set by artists from Ireland, see:
Most Expensive Irish Paintings

My Favourite Contemporary Irish Artists

All art is subjective. So this is not a comprehensive list of the best art, or an official list of the Top 10 Painters in Ireland, or anything like that. It is simply a list of my favourite living painters - individuals whose works have caused me to stop and think: "Wow! This is absolutely beautiful!" It doesn't mean I admire everything they produce: some of them have created works which I don't like at all.

Selection Criteria & Preferences

In compiling my list of the best living Irish artists, I have paid no attention to the auction price or monetary value of their work, nor have I given much weight to the general view of their art. I'm not interested in what critics or commercial collectors think. However, I do have preferences for certain types and styles of painting.

A Quiet Read.
Norman Teeling (b.1944)
Prolific Dublin-born Impressionist.

My response to a work of art is mainly emotional. Although I enjoy unlocking the intellectual meaning of a painting, I am most affected by its visual impact. So colour and shape, and subject-matter are very important to me.

I don't have any special preference for oils, acrylics or watercolours, but I like to relate to the subject on the canvas: I prefer representational art - that is, images of the human form, or clearly recognizable objects.

Also I prefer artists to demonstrate verifiable skills: the type of painterly technique that requires proper training. Highly abstract interpretations of landscapes, bog pools or cityscapes may enthuse many so-called experts in fine art, but personally I like to see real draughtsmanship - the sort you can verify by comparing it with reality. I realize that in today's art world - a world dominated by the dead sharks and jewel-encrusted skulls of Damien Hirst - my view might be considered dangerously out of date, but that's tough. I prefer realistic landscapes, especially those painted en plein air, classical still lifes and interiors, and portraits with one head and two arms.

Dreams of Summer.
Marja Van Kampen (b.1949)
Galway-based Colourist/Screenprinter.

TOP PRICED WORLD ART
For details of the world's most
highly priced works of art, see:
Top 10 Most Expensive Paintings
Top 20 Most Expensive Paintings

Although I prefer representational painting in a realist style, this doesn't exclude expressionism. After all, every picture (except perhaps certain examples of photo-realist art) is to some degree expressionist. However, when a painter becomes too abstract in his interpretation of a particular scene or object, and (as is often the case) the auction catalogue or commentary drones on about his genius, I tend to lose interest fast.

Not a Comprehensive List

Although I have endeavoured to include most painting genres, my list is far from complete. I still have to see more paintings by more painters. Over the coming months I hope to add more contemporary Irish artists to the list, and expand the number of categories.

Give Me Your Opinion

I welcome all feedback, so if you agree/disagree with my selection of the Best Irish Painters, or if you feel I have overlooked a particular person in a particular category, please tell me via our Contact Form.

List of Top Irish Artists

Most Creative Artist
• Louis le Brocquy HRHA (b.1916)

Le Brocquy's work over the past seven decades, spanning a diverse range of surrealistic, figurative and minimalist styles, surely makes him Ireland's most creative living painter. See: Le Brocquy Biography.

Best History Painting
• Conor Walton (b.1970)

The sheer perfectionism of this academic-style classical realist can be seen in his mastery of the human form, chiaroscuro technique and intriguing narrative.
See: Conor Walton Biography.

Portrait of Reverend Ian Paisley.
David Nolan (b.1966)
Dublin-born Portraitist.

Best Portrait Artists
• David Nolan (b.1966)

Meticulous and subtle, Nolan's portraits are uncomfortably perceptive.
See: David Nolan Biography.

• Conor Walton (b.1970)

Like all his work, Walton's portraiture manages to be both expressive and precise. An amazing range of subjects from archbishops to down-and-outs.

Best Genre-Painting
• Colin Davidson RUA (b.1968)

Davidson's genre-scenes are packed with multi-angle interest.
See Colin Davidson Biography.

Fallen Beech.
Henry McGrane (b.1969)
Co Meath-born Landscape Artist.

For a guide to trends and values in the
demand for artists of Ireland, please
see: Irish Art Market. For investment
ideas, see: Irish Art Investment Plan.

Best Plein-Air Landscapes
• Henry McGrane (b.1969)

A master of perspective, compositional structure and daughtsmanship.
See Henry McGrane Biography.

Best Expressionist Landscapes
• Donald Teskey (b.1956)

Whether depicting man-made or natural landscapes, Teskey invariably adapts his texture and colour to powerful effect. See Donald Teskey Biography.

Best Impressionist Landscapes
• Paul Kelly (b.1968)

Kelly's rural and coastal views have an unmistakable air of sensuousness or sometimes even nostalgia - as if something drew him to the scene and urged him to paint. See Paul Kelly Biography.

Bridge at Rathwilly, Misty Evening.
Paul Kelly (b.1968)
Dublin-born Impressionist.

End Of July, Inch Beach.
John Morris (b.1958)
Limerick-based Landscape Artist.

IRISH PAINTING
For the historical story, see:
History of Irish Art.
For details of portraiture,
see: Irish Portrait Artists.
For details of plein-air work,
see: Plein Air Painting Ireland.
For details of realistic works, see
Representational Painting Ireland.
For a summary of landscapes,
see: Irish Landscape Artists.
For more about the history of
fine arts in Ireland, see:
Irish Painting.
For more Irish still life, see:
Peter Collis Biography.

Best Painter of Reflected Light on Water
• John Morris (b.1959)

Morris captures the glint of sunlight on the surface of the sea like no other artist I've seen. A wonderful minimalist style. See John Morris Biography.

Best Still Life Artists
• Mark O'Neill (b.1963)

O'Neill's understated, simple compositions reveal his outstanding drawing skills and deep understanding of colour tones. See Mark O'Neill Biography.

• James English (b.1946)

Fantastic treatment of reflected light in his still life oils. For examples, see James English Biography.

• Conor Walton (b.1970)

This man again! His still life studies are astonishingly life-like. His colours sometimes remind me of Picasso's Cubist still life compositions.

Best Expressionist Art
• Basil Blackshaw (b.1932)

Amazingly versatile, Blackshaw's art encompasses portraiture, sports, animals, landscapes, rural life and city scenes. His evocative and distinctive colours make some of his works quite unforgettable. See Basil Blackshaw Biography.

• Clea Van der Grijn (b.1967)

Her expressionist heads like, I Took Your Advice, are simply awesome.

• Hughie O'Donoghue (b.1953)

Kilkenny-based O'Donoghue specializes in monumental - at times, almost Renaissance-like - abstract expressionist compositions that will overwhelm you. For examples, see Hughie O'Donoghue Biography.

Poppies in Blue Jug.
Brian Ballard (b.1943)
Belfast-born Colourist.

Best Post-Impressionist Artist
• Arthur Maderson (b.1942)

With his half-finished brush strokes of thick impasto paint and bold juxtapositions of colour, Maderson creates wonderful mosaic-like paintings that constantly intrigue. See Arthur Maderson Biography.

Best Colourists
• Brian Ballard (b.1943)

Using rich colours and bold brushstrokes, he has a fantastic talent for balancing blues and greys, with striking single colours. Incredibly consistent. See Brian Ballard Biography.

• Marja Van Kampen (b.1949)

I have never seen any artist produce such a profusion of exotic colour. Makes Gauguin's palette look monochrome. See Marja Van Kampen Biography.

Veiled (2007). Still Life
Conor Walton (b.1970).

IRISH FINE ART
For a review of genre-works,
see: Irish Genre Painters.
For the historical story, see:
History of Irish Art.

ART IN IRELAND
For details of exhibitions & shows
in galleries across Ireland, see:
Irish Art Exhibitions.
For latest news & developments,
see: Irish Art News.

Best Interiors
• Norman Teeling (b.1944)

In addition to his renowned plein-air oil paintings, Teeling paints early and mid-20th century interiors full of rich colour. See Norman Teeling Biography.

• Mark O'Neill (b.1963)

More restrained in his choice of colours than Teeling, but his harmonious themes invariably produce works of great beauty.

Best Photo-Realist Painter
• John Doherty (b.1949)

Captures the lost optimism and neglect of aging structures, in his unique hyper-realist style. Not happy paintings but always thoughtful and often moving. See John Doherty Biography.

Best Classical Art
• Martin Mooney (b.1960)

A graduate of the Slade School of Fine Art, Mooney's academic-style paintings have an unmistakably classic feel. I adore his views of Venice. For a couple of examples, see Martin Mooney Biography.

Yellow Rabbit.
Basil Blackshaw RUA (b.1932)
Co Antrim-born Expressionist.

ABSTRACT ART
For more about abstraction in the
fine arts, see these resources:
Abstract Art: Styles & Artists;
Cubism;
Mainie Jellett;
Mary Swanzy;
Evie Hone;
For abstract landscapes, see:
Tony O'Malley;
William Crozier.

Best Subject Painter
• Graham Knuttel (b.1954)

Knuttel may have his critics, but I'm not one of them. I think his unique works throb with energy and attitude. Some are absolute masterpieces. No wonder film stars buy them. See Graham Knuttel Biography.

Best Equestrian Artist
• Peter Curling (b.1955)

Most of Curling's horse paintings are so alive with movement and the sound of hooves, they make me nervous. See Peter Curling Biography.

Best Abstract Artists
• Sean Scully (b.1945)

Standing in front of a monumental Scully abstract, I can almost understand why he is so fascinated by his elemental Stonehenge-type shapes. They are quite overpowering. For small-scale examples, see Sean Scully Biography.

• Francis Tansey (b.1959)

Tansey's geometric-style acrylic works have immense visual impact. A sort of Piet Mondrian on steroids. See Francis Tansey Biography.

Best Draughtsmanship
• Bernadette MacCormick (b.1969)

An emerging artist with great soul. See: Bernadette MacCormick.

Best Caricaturist
• Niall O'Loughlin (b.1970)

If you like instantly recognizable, humerous caricatures that grab you by the throat, you'll love O'Loughlin. I think he's awesome.

Best Public Artist
• Ian Ritchie RA (b.1947)

Famous for his (or his firm's) design and construction of The Spire of Dublin (aka 'the spike'), a stainless steel rod, 120 metres high and 3 metres in diameter at the base. I love it. It's more compelling than most of the public art that the government sponsors.

Breath 1.
Donald Teskey (b.1956)
Limerick-born Landscape Artist.

Feedback

I welcome all feedback about my list of the best living Irish artists, so if you agree/disagree with my selection, or if you feel I have overlooked someone in a particular genre/category, or if you wish to suggest an additional category, please let me know by using our Contact Form.

For more information about painters and sculptors from Ireland, please see:

• 18th Century Irish Artists (Born before 1800)
• 19th Century Irish Artists (Born 1800-1900)
• 20th Century Irish Artists (Born 1900 onwards)

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