Maurice MacGonigal

Born in Dublin in 1900, Maurice MacGonigal began his artistic career as an apprentice in the stained glass studios of his uncle Joshua Clarke. In 1916 he joined a republican organisation "Na Fianna Eireann", and subsequently became a member of the Irish Republican Army. MacGonigal was arrested and interned in 1920; following his release in 1922 he became increasingly interested in painting. He won the Taylor Art Scholarship in 1923 which enabled him to become a day student in the Metropolitan School of Art. There he received a sound academic training and decided to commit himself to painting. The landscape, figurative and portrait style which he developed over the following years was deeply rooted in his desire to create a uniquely Irish national identity in painting. A constant exhibitor at the Royal Hibernian Academy, he became highly influential in the development of Irish art as Professor and subsequently President of the Academy.