June Art Auction Lot 8 - Padraic Woods, Spanish Ladies
Padraic Woods was born in Newry in 1893. His family moved to Castlewellan in 1898, then to Belfast in 1900. At age fifteen, Woods started evening classes at Belfast School of Art while attending St Joseph’s National School. After being awarded a scholarship to attend St Patrick’s Training College in Dublin, he returned to Belfast to teach at Holy Family School and continued lessons at the School of Art. In 1942, he retired early from teaching to spend more time on his art. He travelled across Europe painting in France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands, and captured scenes of Donegal, Connemara, and Antrim on his returns home to Ireland.
Woods first exhibited with the Belfast Art Society in 1920. In 1931, he was elected an associate of the Ulster Academy of Arts, and in 1932, he exhibited at the Oireachtas. In the early 1930s, Woods painted on Achill Island before travelling to Brittany in 1935 to paint with Charles Harvey, a friend of Hans Iten, Nevill Johnson, and John Luke. Woods soon became acquainted with James Humbert Craig, initiating a friendship which lasted over 30 years. He spoke highly of Craig’s aesthetic and valued his ability to capture the Antrim Coast. Woods continued to exhibit throughout the 1930s, showing a variety of scenes from coastal France to landscapes of Connemara at Locksley Hall and the Dublin Sketching Club. In 1940, Woods received a significant portrait commission of Professor D. L. Savory, a Professor of French at Queen’s University. Multiple solo shows were held at the Dublin Painters Gallery and 55a Donegall Place. He also regularly exhibited at the Royal Ulster Academy, Royal Hibernian Academy, and the Ulster Arts Club, eventually becoming president of the Arts Club in 1948 and 1949. In 1960, he joined William Conor and Rowel Friers in a joint exhibition at the RUA rooms. He was appointed a governor of Belfast College of Art in 1964, then later held a solo exhibition at Queen’s in 1968.
Reviewing Woods’ exhibition at 7 St Stephen’s Green in 1954, the Irish Times noted his ‘tremendous confidence’ as he showcased a ‘range from straightforward landscapes…to such subtle and strangely evocative genre studies…His touch is assured, his texture varied, his colour forceful, and his drawing, in the main, sound.’ An example of his affinity for Spanish scenes, Lot 8 showcases Woods astute technique for colour and tone capturing the warm sun and flurry of activity before him. His work is represented in the Hugh Lane Gallery, National Museum of Ireland, RUA diploma collection, and Queen’s University collection.
Padraic Woods was born in Newry in 1893. His family moved to Castlewellan in 1898, then to Belfast in 1900. At age fifteen, Woods started evening classes at Belfast School of Art while attending St Joseph’s National School. After being awarded a scholarship to attend St Patrick’s Training College in Dublin, he returned to Belfast to teach at Holy Family School and continued lessons at the School of Art. In 1942, he retired early from teaching to spend more time on his art. He travelled across Europe painting in France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands, and captured scenes of Donegal, Connemara, and Antrim on his returns home to Ireland.
Woods first exhibited with the Belfast Art Society in 1920. In 1931, he was elected an associate of the Ulster Academy of Arts, and in 1932, he exhibited at the Oireachtas. In the early 1930s, Woods painted on Achill Island before travelling to Brittany in 1935 to paint with Charles Harvey, a friend of Hans Iten, Nevill Johnson, and John Luke. Woods soon became acquainted with James Humbert Craig, initiating a friendship which lasted over 30 years. He spoke highly of Craig’s aesthetic and valued his ability to capture the Antrim Coast. Woods continued to exhibit throughout the 1930s, showing a variety of scenes from coastal France to landscapes of Connemara at Locksley Hall and the Dublin Sketching Club. In 1940, Woods received a significant portrait commission of Professor D. L. Savory, a Professor of French at Queen’s University. Multiple solo shows were held at the Dublin Painters Gallery and 55a Donegall Place. He also regularly exhibited at the Royal Ulster Academy, Royal Hibernian Academy, and the Ulster Arts Club, eventually becoming president of the Arts Club in 1948 and 1949. In 1960, he joined William Conor and Rowel Friers in a joint exhibition at the RUA rooms. He was appointed a governor of Belfast College of Art in 1964, then later held a solo exhibition at Queen’s in 1968.
Reviewing Woods’ exhibition at 7 St Stephen’s Green in 1954, the Irish Times noted his ‘tremendous confidence’ as he showcased a ‘range from straightforward landscapes…to such subtle and strangely evocative genre studies…His touch is assured, his texture varied, his colour forceful, and his drawing, in the main, sound.’ An example of his affinity for Spanish scenes, Lot 8 showcases Woods astute technique for colour and tone capturing the warm sun and flurry of activity before him. His work is represented in the Hugh Lane Gallery, National Museum of Ireland, RUA diploma collection, and Queen’s University collection.
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