On the turf

John P O’Sullivan visits renowned horse painter Peter Curling at his home and studio in Tipperary


On the turf
Writer

Artist

Back to this Issue

Category
Artists
Painting

Share

Peter Curling is a technically accomplished artist and arguably one of our most commercially successful. He has buyers in Ireland, the UK and the US, and commands consistently good prices at auction. His €82,000 for Summer Exercise, Kileens at James Adam’s and Bonhams in 2006 has been exceeded only by two living Irish artists, Hughie O’Donoghue and Robert Ballagh. And despite considering his cartoons a sideline – ‘not something I want to specialise in’ – one, featuring champion hurdler Istabraq, was sold for well over IR £1 million at a charity auction in 2000. Yet, amongst many of the Irish art cognoscenti, he is regarded as ‘an equine artist’ (with the term ‘mere’ lurking nearby) and does not enjoy the acceptance or respect he deserves. He is not a member of Aosdána and his only submission to the RHA’s annual show was rejected.

 

To read this article in full, subscribe or buy this edition of the Irish Arts Review

More from the Winter 2020 edition

Adam’s: 9 december

Adam’s: 9 december


Preview Article
Blazing a trail

Blazing a trail

Rose Jane Leigh’s importance as an early pioneering Wexford landscape painter and her choice of studying in Antwerp placed her at the centre of the major art movements of the 19th and early 20th century, writes Mary Stratton Ryan


Preview Article
Eva, Letitia and the Hamilton Sisters – Class, Gender and Art

Eva, Letitia and the Hamilton Sisters – Class, Gender and Art


Preview Article
Shopping cart0
There are no products in the cart!
Continue shopping
0