Adam's HOMAN POTTERTON A LIFETIME OF COLLECTING 7th September 2021

118 MICHAEL HEALY (1873-1941) Born in Dublin in 1873 in humble circumstances Michael Healy had an innate interest in art and an ability in drawing which developed further with his attendance at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art in 1892. His artistic education was interrupted for a couple of years while he investigated whether he had a religious vocation. He re-enrolled in art college and on graduating secured a job as an illus- trator with The Irish Rosary a new Dominican publication. Through the influence of his editor Healy travelled to Florence where he attended the Life School of the Academia di Belle Arti. He returned to Ireland in 1901 but it wasn’t until 1903 that his career really got going with Sarah Purser’s invitation to join An Túr Gloine, the stained glass studio whose other members included A.E.Child, Beatrice Elvery, Wilhelmina Geddes and Evie Hone. Initially he assisted in the painting of windows designed by others but within a year or two was designing and painting windows entirely himself. The quality of his work set him apart from many of his peers and before long he had ceased assisting others and developed his own style and ultimately a successful practice, producing win- dows for chapels, churches and cathedrals in Ireland and throughout the world. While stained glass is what he is best known for, we are all very familiar with his ‘Dubliners’ series, small watercolour sketches of people in his native city going about their everyday activities. He did exhibit a small number of oil paintings throughout his life, painting both portraits and landscapes. The present collection of charming and attractive oils were purchased by Homan at Michael Healy’s studio sale held by DeVere’s in September 2003.