Samuel McCloy, Figure Painter

(b. 1831, d. 1904)

Figure Painter

From A Dictionary of Irish Artists 1913

Was born in Lisburn on 13th March, 1831. He was apprenticed to James and Thomas Smyth, a firm of engravers in Belfast, and also studied in the School of Design. After spending about a year in the Central School at Somerset House, London, he was appointed in or before 1853 Master of the Waterford School of Art. In 1875 he returned to Belfast and remained there until he went to London in 1881. He occasionally exhibited in the Royal Hibernian Academy between 1862 and 1882, contributing figure subjects and scenes of Irish domestic life. He also contributed a few works to London exhibitions from 1859 to 1891. He died at 117 Fernlea Road, Balham, on 4th of October, 1904, aged 73.

In the Victoria and Albert Museum is a drawing of "Black Grapes" by him, and in the Belfast Art Gallery a small oil picture of a girl standing by the sea entitled "Where the White Foam kissed her Feet."

Mr. F. A. C. Mills, of Cliftonville, Belfast, has a portrait in oils of "Lieutenant G. W. Mills," and a number of water-colour drawings and sketches including "Very Industrious"—two children dressing dolls—and "Fine ripe Apples."

McCloy married a Miss E. L. Harris, of Waterford, who is still living and is an artist, painting heads and children much in the style of her husband. A portrait by her in water-colour of Samuel McCloy belongs to Mr. F. A. C. Mills.

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