Philip Hussey

Ellis Agar by Philip Hussey (The painting shows the Countess of Brandon holding the Charters of Gowran and Thomas Town)

Philip Hussey (died 1783), portrait-painter, born at Cork^[1]

Hussey was born at Cloyne, in the county of Cork^[2] and his career began as a sailor. He was shipwrecked three times.^[2] He drew the figureheads and stern ornaments of vessels, and eventually set up in Dublin as a portrait-painter under the patronage of Lord Chancellor Bowes, painting full-length portraits with some success. He was a good musician, and was skilled as a botanist and florist. His portraits of women are said to be those of men. Although a notable Irish portrait painter, Hussey is not thought to be amongst the most important.^[3] His house was a meeting place of many leading men of art and letters in Dublin. He died at an advanced age in 1783 at his house in Earl Street, Dublin.^[1]

References

1.  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Hussey, Philip". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. , accessed October 2009
2. A Dictionary of Irish Artists, http://www.libraryireland.com/irishartists/philip-hussey.php
3. Irish Portrait Artists, Visual Arts Cork, accessed October 2009