ITALIAN SCHOOL (17TH CENTURY) Collecting the Manna from...

ITALIAN SCHOOL (17TH CENTURY)
Collecting the Manna from Heaven
Oil on panel, 30 x 44cm

Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Lucius O'Callaghan (1877-1954), architect.

Lucius O'Callaghan, second son of James Joseph O’Callaghan, was born on 18 August 1877 at the family home at 31 Harcourt Street, Dublin. After attending the Catholic University School and Blackrock College, he became an architecture pupil in his father's office. He set up as an architect in his own right at the age of twenty-six and later with partners developed a successful practice.

O'Callaghan was a connoisseur and collector of paintings - particularly seventeenth century Dutch works - and of antique furniture and porcelain. In 1917 he was appointed Governor and Guardian of the National Gallery of Ireland for a five-year term and, in November 1923, Director, having stipulated in his application for the post that, if appointed, he should be allowed to continue to practise as an architect. He conducted the gallery's affairs 'in a quiet and efficient manner' until June 1927, when he resigned on account of his architectural commitments.