Hunter, Robert (fl. 1748–1780), Portrait of Owen O’Malley, Oil on Canvas

Robert Hunter (fl.1748-1780). Portrait of Owen O’Malley, of Spencer Park, Co. Mayo. Full length, standing, wearing a red coat and waistcoat and holding a shuttlecock and racket, his hat on the ground beside him. Oil on canvas, in a carved wood frame. Label’s verso: ‘Owen O’Malley/of Spencer Park/Castlebar./Eldest son of/ Andrew Blacke (?) O’Malley/of Newcastle (?)’. ’Owen O’Malley, of Spencer Park/Born. October … 1771’.  Provenance:  Property of Mrs M.K. Owen. Sotheby’s, London, British Paintings 1500-1850, 15th July 1988, Lot 39. Where acquired by the present owner. Property of a Distinguished Gentleman of Title. Dimensions: (Framed): 58 (H) x 48 in. (W) (Canvas): 49 (H) x 39.25 in. (W)  Catalogue Note:  Robert Hunter, a native of Ulster, was the principal portrait painter of his time in Ireland. By 1748, Hunter was creating portraits and was, for many years at the head of his profession as a portrait painter with a large and profitable practice. His portraits are known for their excellent likenesses, and are of the first rank in painting. Today, his works are held in the National Gallery of Ireland and numerous esteemed collections.