Who painted Portrait of Thomas Moore (1779-1852), Poet?

Portrait of Thomas Moore (1779-1852), Poet was painted by Daniel Maclise in 1848.

Where can I see Portrait of Thomas Moore (1779-1852), Poet?

Portrait of Thomas Moore (1779-1852), Poet is held by National Gallery of Ireland.

What movement is Portrait of Thomas Moore (1779-1852), Poet?

Portrait of Thomas Moore (1779-1852), Poet is associated with British Romanticism.

Artwork

Portrait of Thomas Moore (1779-1852), Poet

Daniel Maclise , 1848

Portrait of Thomas Moore (1779-1852), Poet is an oil painting by the British Romanticist artist Daniel Maclise. It dates from 1848 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.

About this work

Overview

Daniel Maclise, an Irish artist who spent most of his career in London, painted this oil portrait of the poet Thomas Moore around 1848. The work belongs to the British Romantic era and is now part of the National Gallery of Ireland’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is Thomas Moore (1779‑1852), a prominent Irish poet and biographer of his day. He is shown seated comfortably, his gaze directed outward, suggesting a reflective yet confident demeanor appropriate to a literary figure of his standing.

Technique & Style

Maclise employs a chiaroscuro effect, using a single light source to illuminate Moore’s face while the surrounding interior recedes into shadow. The painter’s handling of the dark coat, the red‑gilded armchair, and the subtle details of the candlelit fireplace demonstrate his skill in rendering texture and atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Created near the end of Maclise’s London period, the portrait reflects his interest in literary subjects. After remaining in private hands, it entered the National Gallery of Ireland, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s representation of 19th‑century Irish art.

Context

Maclise was known for both portraiture and large public murals, such as those in the Palace of Westminster. This intimate work contrasts with his monumental commissions, offering a glimpse of his ability to capture individual character within a domestic setting.

Artist & collection

Artist

Daniel Maclise

Daniel Maclise (25 January 1806 – 25 April 1870) was an Irish history painter, literary and portrait painter, and illustrator, who worked for most of his life in London, England.