Early Life and Education
Martin Archer Shee, a prominent Irish portrait painter, was born on December 23, 1769, in Dublin, Ireland. His father,
Martin Shee, a merchant, initially disapproved of his son's desire to pursue a career in painting, considering it an unsuitable occupation for a descendant of the Shees. However, Martin Shee's passion for art prevailed, and he went on to study at the Royal Dublin Society.
Artistic Career
Shee's artistic journey began in 1788 when he was introduced to
Joshua Reynolds, a renowned artist, by
Edmund Burke. This meeting led to Shee's enrollment in the Royal Academy's schools. In 1789, he exhibited his first two paintings, "Head of an Old Man" and "Portrait of a Gentleman," marking the beginning of his successful career.
Shee was elected as an associate of the
Royal Academy in 1798 and became a full member in 1800. He also served as the president of the Royal Academy from 1830 until his death in 1850.
Notable Works and Exhibitions
Some of Shee's notable works include:
- Belisarius (128 x 102 cm, Oil On Canvas, Royal Academy of Arts, United Kingdom)
- Queen Victoria (1819-1901) (270 x 178 cm, Oil On Canvas, Royal Academy of Arts, United Kingdom)
- George IV (1762-1830) (after Thomas Lawrence) (275 x 184 cm, Oil On Canvas, Royal Academy of Arts, United Kingdom)
These paintings are now part of the Royal Academy of Arts collection in the United Kingdom.
Legacy and Personal Life
Shee married Mary, the eldest daughter of James Power of Youghal, in 1789. He had three sons who became successful barristers and three daughters. Shee's descendants include George Archer-Shee, whose story inspired the play "The Winslow Boy" by Terence Rattigan.
Shee passed away on August 13, 1850, in Brighton, and was buried in the western extension of St Nicholas' Churchyard. His headstone remains, but has been laid flat and moved to the perimeter of the site.
- View more works by Sir Martin Archer Shee at https://WahooArt.com/@/Sir-Martin-Archer-Shee
- Explore the Royal Academy of Arts collection at https://WahooArt.com/Art.nsf/O/A@D3CF6H
- Learn more about Shee's life and works on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Archer_Shee