13 Facts About Hugh Lane

Sir Hugh Percy Lane was an Irish art dealer, collector and gallery director.

Hugh Lane is best known for establishing Dublin's Municipal Gallery of Modern Art and for his contribution to the visual arts in Ireland, including the Lane Bequest.

Hugh Percy Lane was born in County Cork, Ireland, on 9 November 1875.

Hugh Lane was the son of a rector father, James William Lane.

Hugh Lane's mother, Frances Adelaide Lane, was a daughter of Dudley Persse, of Roxborough, County Galway.

Hugh Lane was brought up in Cornwall, England, and began his career as an apprentice painting restorer with Martin Henry Colnaghi in London, then worked as an art dealer at the Colnaghi's Marlborough Gallery for some years, before becoming a dealer in his own right and opening a gallery in Dublin in 1908.

Hugh Lane soon counted among his family, friends and social circle those who collectively formed the core of the Irish cultural renaissance in the early decades of the 20th century that was a part of the Celtic Revival.

Hugh Lane hoped that Dublin Corporation would run it, but the corporation was unsure if it would be financially viable.

Hugh Lane met the running costs while seeking a more permanent home.

Shortly before his death, Hugh Lane reversed this in a codicil to his will, which was not witnessed.

Hugh Lane did not live to see his gallery permanently located as he died in 1915 during the sinking of the RMS Lusitania, off the west coast of Cork.

In March 1914, fourteen months before his death, Hugh Lane had been appointed Director of the National Gallery of Ireland.

Hugh Lane was succeeded by Walter G Strickland, who was the Gallery's registrar.