Spotlight: Limerick’s fine art tradition
Reporter:
22 Apr 2021
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Limerick has had famous artists in the past. So, before we come to consider Michael Collins (Miceál Ó Coileáin) let’s look at who came before him and in so doing see where Ó'Coileáin fits in that continuum. Michael lives and works in both Limerick and Barcelona. I spoke to him on the phone recently in Barcelona and I’m delighted to report that it was raining there and sunny here in Limerick!
Timothy Collopy
Timothy Collopy was born in Limerick in the mid-eighteenth century. His first trade was as a baker’s apprentice. His talent for art was noticed from a young age and he was sent to Rome to study. He was mostly known as a religious painter though he also worked as a portrait painter and restorer. Following his death in London in 1811 some of his works were auctioned in Christies Auction Rooms. One of his paintings, ‘The Ascension,’ can be viewed in the Augustinian Church on O’Connell Street.