The Limerick Piper, Father and Daughter. From a Painting by J. Haverty. Lithographed by J.S. Templeton. From the Original Picture purchased by Sir Robert Gore-Booth Bart.

ROYAL IRISH ART UNION PRIZE LITHOGRAPH

Monochrome Lithograph. 60 x 48cms. Mounted on backing board behind double green window mount and clear mylar. In very good condition.

At a meeting held in Dublin on 8th April, 1839, the Marquess of Ormonde in the chair, the Royal IrishArt Union was established “for the Encouragement of the Fine Arts in Ireland by the purchase of the
Works of Living Artists exhibited in the Metropolis.” At a general meeting of subscribers a committee of twenty-one members were chosen to select and purchase at the exhibition of the Royal Hibernian Academy “such works of art as are creditable to the talent and genius of the country.” These works were distributed by lot as prizes among the subscribers, one chance being allowed for a guinea, two chances for two guineas, and so on; and every member was entitled to an engraving published by the Art Union. The committee held their meetings in the Royal Irish Institution, College
Street. The Society set themselves to work to counteract the general apathy which existed in Ireland with regard to the Fine Arts, at a time when the exhibitions of the Royal Hibernian Academy were neglected, and artists found it impossible to obtain sale for their works. The Academy were unable to hold an exhibition in 1839, and during the four years preceding not a single work had been sold.

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