George Barret Senior RA (1732-1784)

The renowned Irish landscape artist, George Barret (Senior) was born in Dublin and studied drawing and painting under Robert West at the Royal Dublin Society Schools, in due course becoming an art teacher. In 1762, he emigrated to London where he developed a successful career painting landscape views of mountainous natural scenery throughout the UK. He was a founder member of the London Royal Academy.

River Scene With Watermill, Figures
And Cows

During his active life, Barret exhibited a total of 31 paintings (1769-1782) at the Royal Academy. During this time, his art patrons included Edmund Burke, a former friend from Trinity College, Dublin. Burke was instrumental in persuading Barret to visit and paint in County Wicklow, where he spent several years depicting the Powerscourt waterfall. During Barret's later years when he ran into financial difficulties, Burke secured him the post of master painter at Chelsea Hospital, a position he held until he died in 1784.

Four of Barret's children also became painters of whom George Barret Junior (1767-1842) was the most famous, becoming a member of the Society of Painters in Water Colours.

More Information About Visual Arts in Ireland

• For details of other painters and sculptors, see: Irish Artists: Paintings and Biographies.
• For more about culture in Ireland, see: Irish Art Guide.

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