Country House Collections at Slane Castle 13
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Robert Healy (fl.1765-1771)
Described by Strickland as a ‘Portrait and Animal Painter in chalks’, Healy trained in the Dublin Society’s Schools and
subsequently established his studio at Wood Quay in Dublin.
He is recorded in 1766 and 1767 as exhibiting his trademark portrait drawings at the Society of Artists in William Street
where he continued to exhibit up to 1770 when he was awarded a silver palette for the best exhibited drawing of a group of
figures.
Healy was very highly regarded for his black and white portraits and enjoyed quite a reputation and a considerable practice
with many important clients including the Conollys of Castletown and Lord Mountjoy.
Pasquin said of Healy’s drawings, that they “are proverbial for their exquisite softness; they look like fine proofs of the most
capital mezzotint engravings” a not inapt description.
Robert Healy died in July 1771, from the effects of a cold brought on while sketching cattle in Lord Mornington’s park.
Strickland mentions that there are two self portraits in the National Gallery of Ireland, drawn in chalk in 1765 and 1766.
