Northern Ireland

Artist John Lavery honoured with blue plaque

An Ulster History Circle blue plaque was unveiled to Sir John Lavery plaque on Donegall Street. Picture by Mark Marlow
An Ulster History Circle blue plaque was unveiled to Sir John Lavery plaque on Donegall Street. Picture by Mark Marlow An Ulster History Circle blue plaque was unveiled to Sir John Lavery plaque on Donegall Street. Picture by Mark Marlow

A WORLD famous portrait artist who rose from humble beginnings to "bestride the international art scene like a colossus" was honoured at the Belfast church of his baptism yesterday.

One hundred years after distinguished painter Sir John Lavery donated his first religious painting to St Patrick's, a celebration of his remarkable life took place at the Donegall Street church.

The Ulster History Circle blue plaque was unveiled to commemorate Sir John, an acclaimed artist who painted a host of key figures in his time including the British royal family and Winston Churchill.

Parish priest Fr Eugene O'Neill said they were "very proud" of Sir John's connection to the church.

"By any standard, Sir John Lavery was one of the most distinguished of Belfast's citizens, he rose from humble beginnings to bestride the international art scene like a colossus," he said.

Fr Eugene O'Neill in front of the Sir John Lavery triptych
Fr Eugene O'Neill in front of the Sir John Lavery triptych Fr Eugene O'Neill in front of the Sir John Lavery triptych

"He knew and painted everyone who was anyone in the first decades of the 20th century, but he never forgot the city or indeed the parish of his birth, making that connection and marking it with a precious gift, which was unveiled her 100 years ago and still stands in the church.

"We are so very proud of him and of our role in St Patrick's as custodian of this masterpiece on behalf of the city of Belfast."

Born in March 1856 in North Queen Street and baptised in St Patrick's, he was orphaned aged three after his father's voyage to America ended tragically and his mother died suddenly.

His life as an artist began in Glasgow, first as a retoucher for a photographer where he learned his trade at the Haldane Academy of Arts.

His debut exhibition in 1880 was well received and he was getting work as a known painter.

Sir John Lavery
Sir John Lavery Sir John Lavery

In 1885, he entered a painting at the British Royal Academy with the title, 'The Tennis Party' and it was followed by a commission in 1887 to paint the state visit of queen Victoria in Glasgow, which made his name and secured commissions for the next 50 years.

Aged nearly 60 when the First World War broke out in 1914, Sir John joined the Artists' Rifles and went on to paint his famous 'The First Wounded'.

He was generous in donations of his work and the Ulster Museum received over 30 paintings for their collection.

In 1919, he donated his first religious painting, The Madonna of the Lakes, a magnificent triptych - a painting on three panels, hinged together - to St Patrick’s.

He continued to paint until the age of 85, when he died in Rossenarra House, Co Kilkenny.

Members of Sir John's extended family were among those to attend the event yesterday, including Caitrona Channing whose great grandfather was a cousin of the artist.

"Art definitely runs through our family," she said.

"I'm a body artist, so I paint people's bodies, it's maybe is not the same art as his art, but that creative influence must be there.

"It's absolutely amazing to know I'm related to him."

Chris Spurr from the Ulster History Circle said: "The Ulster History Circle is delighted to commemorate this eminent artist with a blue plaque which will replace that unveiled in 1998 on North Queen Street at the site of his birthplace."