Adam's IRISH OLD MASTERS 5th November 2024

82 51 IRISH SCHOOL, 18TH CENTURY Three-Quarter Length Portrait of Mary Anne Williams Oil on canvas, 76 x 63.5cm Provenance: Williamstown House, Carbury, Co. Kildare € 2,500 - 3,500 52 THOMAS HICKEY Portrait of a Gentleman Oil on canvas, 70 x 57cm € 3,000 - 5,000 Thomas Hickey was born in Bachelor’s Walk, Dublin, in May 1741. He was the second son of Noah Hickey, a Capel Street confectioner, and his wife Anne. Hickey trained at the Dublin Society’s schools from 1753 to 1756, earning several prizes for his work. His early portraits, dating from 1758, established his reputation as an artist. Between 1761 and 1767, Hickey studied painting in Italy. Upon returning to Dublin, he exhibited with the Society of Artists (1768–1770), but struggled to find steady work. This led him to London, where he joined the Royal Academy school in 1770. By 1776, he had moved to Bath, residing there until 1780. In July 1780, Hickey set sail for India, a pivotal point in his career. His journey was interrupted when his ship was captured by French and Spanish fleets, diverting him to Lisbon. He remained in Portugal for several years, receiving commissions before continuing to Bengal, India, where he worked until 1791. During this time, he also travelled to Peking, China, with George Macartney, 1st Earl Macartney, as the expedition’s portrait painter. Following the death of his brother John, Hickey returned briefly to Ireland in 1796. He was commis - sioned by Dr. Robert Emmet to paint portraits of his children, including Robert Emmet, the future nation - alist. By 1798, Hickey had returned to India, where he sketched members of Tipu Sultan’s family during the Fourth Mysore War (1799–1801). Hickey spent his final years in Madras, continuing to work until his death in 1824. His extensive travels and commissions earned him recognition as an important figure in eighteenth and early nineteenth century por - traiture.