62 / 112
62
65
Norah McGuinness HRHA (1901-1980)
Spring Planting
Oil on canvas, 50.5 x 76cm (19¾ x 30”)
Signed; inscribed verso
€5,000 - 7,000
Derry born artist Norah McGuinness won a three year scholarship to study at the Metro-
politan School of Art in Dublin at the age of 18, where she was taught by Harry Clarke,
Patrick Tuohy and Oswald Reeves before moving to London to study at the Chelsea
School of Art. In 1923 she won an RDS medal and the following year exhibited for the
first time at the RHA. During these years McGuinness supported herself by designing
sets and costumes for the Abbey and Peacock theatres and illustrated books.
Under the advice of Mainie Jellett she travelled to Paris to study for a period under Andre
Lhote. In 1957 she was elected an Honorary member of the RHA but resigned in 1969.
A founding member of the Irish Exhibition of Living Art, she served as President from
1944 to 1971. McGuinness exhibited regularly at the Dawson and Taylor Galleries as
well as in London, Paris and New York. She also represented Ireland at the 1950 Venice
Biennale with Nano Reid. A retrospective of her work was held at Trinity College Dublin
in 1968 where she was awarded an honorary doctorate in 1973. Her work can be found in
the National Gallery of Ireland, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin City Gallery the
Hugh Lane, Ulster Museum and Crawford Gallery.