Thomas Ryan (artist)

Thomas Ryan (16 September 1929[2] – 15 September 2021) was an Irish artist, designer and medallist.

Thomas Ryan
Self Portrait- Thomas Ryan
Self Portrait. In robes as President of the Royal Hibernian Academy
Born(1929-09-16)16 September 1929
Limerick, Ireland
Died15 September 2021(2021-09-15) (aged 91)
Blanchardstown, Dublin, Ireland
Resting placeDonaghmore Cemetery, Ashbourne, County Meath, Ireland
EducationLimerick College of Art
National College of Art
Known forPainting, drawing, medalling, portrait
Notable workFlight of the Earls, GPO 1916
AwardsFreedom of Limerick (2007)[1]
ElectedRoyal Hibernian Academy PPRHA, Honorary member of RA & SRA

Biography

Born in St Joseph's Street, Limerick in 1929, Thomas Ryan grew up in Davis Street in the city. He was educated at the Limerick College of Art and the National College of Art in Dublin where he studied under well-known artists such as Seán Keating and Maurice MacGonigal. Ryan worked in a variety of media, including oil paints, watercolours, charcoal, pencil and red and brown chalks. Some of his portraiture subjects include Ronnie Delaney, Patrick Hillery, Seán Keating and Éamon de Valera. His works Flight of the Earls and GPO 1916 are regarded as two of the country's most important historical works.[3] Ryan's medallic work included designing the old Irish one pound coin and the Millennium fifty pence piece. During his ten-year presidency of the Royal Hibernian Academy, he undertook the task of successfully completing the unfinished RHA Gallagher Gallery in Dublin.[4]

GPO 1916 by Thomas Ryan
GPO 1916 by Thomas Ryan
Thomas Ryan, Self Portrait. In robes as President of the Royal Hibernian Academy.
Thomas Ryan, Self Portrait. In robes as President of the Royal Hibernian Academy.

Personal life and death

Ryan lived in Ashbourne, County Meath for about 45 years. He died in Blanchardstown, County Dublin on 15 September 2021, a day before his 92nd birthday.[5][6]

References
  1. "Freedom of Limerick for Terry Wogan and Tom Ryan". www.rte.ie. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  2. "Search results". www.google.com.
  3. Parsons, Michael (2 December 2017). "Thomas Ryan: an artist with an eye on politics". Irish Times. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  4. "Death of RHA artist, Dr Thomas Ryan". Meath Chronicle. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  5. "Sadness following death of freeman of Limerick and artist with 'extraordinary talent'". Limerick Leader. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  6. "Limerick artist Thomas Ryan has died aged 92". RTÉ News. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
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