George Nairn, Animal Painter

(b. 1799, d. 1850)

Animal Painter

From A Dictionary of Irish Artists 1913

Was born in 1799 and entered the Dublin Society's Schools in July, 1813. He practised in Dublin as a portrait, landscape and animal painter, but it was as the latter that he was best known and achieved success, being much sought after in painting portraits of favourite horses and dogs. He contributed to the first exhibition of the Royal Hibernian Academy in 1826. A "Group of favourite Dogs belonging to Francis Johnston," exhibited that year, now belongs to Colonel Johnston, of Kilmore, Co. Armagh. He was a regular exhibitor until 1849, the year before his death, and was elected an Associate on the 22nd May, 1828, but did not attain to full membership. As a painter of dogs and horses he was an artist of considerable power, painting in the style of Stubbs. He died, after a long and painful illness, on the 25th January, 1850. His wife Cecilia, daughter of J. H. Campbell, the landscape painter (q.v.), was also an artist, and is separately noticed. His son, John Campbell Nairn, born in 183 1, was educated as an artist under his father and H. MacManus, R.H.A.; but after the death of his father confined himself to the copying and restoration of pictures. The latter business he has carried on for many years both in London and Dublin.

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