John Comerford was an Irish miniature painter active in Kilkenny and Dublin.
18 Facts About John Comerford
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John Comerford exhibited in London at the Royal Academy in 1804 and 1809.
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John Comerford was born in Kilkenny around 1770, though some sources put his date of birth as early as around 1762.
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John Comerford's father was a local flax-dresser, and Comerford grew up opposite the Tholsel.
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In 1790, Comerford was recommended for a certificate from the school commending his "extraordinary merit in drawing from the flat".
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John Comerford was awarded a medal for his figure-drawing in 1791.
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John Comerford spent the early part of his career in Kilkenny and neighbouring counties, but he worked in Dublin.
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John Comerford met Chinnery in 1799, and in 1800 John Comerford moved into Chinnery's family home at 27 Dame Street.
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John Comerford exhibited with the Society of Artists at Parliament House again in 1801 and 1802, establishing himself as a miniaturist.
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John Comerford was appointed vice-president of the Society of Artists in 1811, and exhibited in Dublin until 1814.
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John Comerford exhibited in London at the Royal Academy in 1804 and 1809, was very successful and gained a high reputation as a miniature-painter in Dublin, and had a large and lucrative practice in his art.
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John Comerford particularly excelled in his male portraits, which were carefully finished, well expressed, and quiet in colour.
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John Comerford continued to visit Kilkenny, painting 11 portraits of actors from the Kilkenny Private Theatre in 1808.
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John Comerford was a popular artist, receiving commissions from the Irish landed gentry, the military, and the clergy, as well as more prominent figures including Daniel O'Connell, James Gandon, Richard Lovell Edgeworth, and Lord Charlemont.
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John Comerford moved to 27 Dame Street in 1817, and later moved to 2 Leinster Street.
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John Comerford painted the portraits of a number of his closest friends, including Vincent Waldre and William Ashford.
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John Comerford collaborated with William Cuming and Thomas Sautelle Roberts.
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John Comerford taught a number of artists, such as John Doyle and Thomas Clement Thompson, and was a strong influence on Samuel Lover.