User:Catherine hennessy12/sandbox

Henry Robertson Craig

Henry Robertson Craig, born in Dumfries, Scotland, began his artistic journey at Dundee College of Art, forming a lasting partnership with Patrick Hennessy. Enlisting in the British Army in 1940, Craig served in London, contributing to mapmaking and camouflage during World War II. Post-war, he turned to landscape painting, residing in Crosshaven, Co. Cork, and later in Cobh before settling in Dublin in 1950. By 1966, Craig found representation at the Richie Hendricks gallery in Dublin, showcasing works influenced by travels to Italy, Germany, Paris, Cote d'Azur, and Dordogne.

in 1968, Craig and Hennessy left Dublin for Tangier, using it as a base for extensive travels. A joint exhibition in 1974 at Cork Arts Society Gallery, organised by close friend David Hendricks, highlighted their works. In 1980, the artists relocated to the Algarve, Portugal. Craig exhibited around fifty works over twenty-five years at the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA). He passed away on December 5th in Portimao, Portugal, and was cremated at Golder's Green Crematorium, London. A studio sale featuring Craig and Patrick Hennessy's work occurred at Christie's London in 1986.

Several of Craig's 75 titles exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy were 'conversation' pieces, including "Conversation Piece (Miss Sheila Pim and Patrick Hennessy)" (1953), "Conversation Piece, Dr and Mrs Lennox Robinson" (1955), and "Conversation Piece at Bruree House" (1963). The subjects include Sir Alexander Clutterbuck, the British Ambassador to Ireland (1955-1959), and possibly his driver or bodyguard. Craig's deliberate composition, with a proscenium arch-like curtain opening, accentuates the main character's importance, emphasised by a direct gaze and sunlight. Shiny surfaces and large paintings are illuminated by the sun, creating an atmosphere of civilised calm with muted greens and creams heightened with red.

Despite numerous portrait commissions, economic challenges during the 1950's Irish recession made it difficult for Craig. His painting "Regatta," exhibited at the RHA in 1970, was celebrated as an outstanding portrait group, depicting friends such as Patrick Hennessy, David Hendricks, Yvette Hendricks, Gordon Lambert, and Patrick O'Connor.