Self-taught Tipperary artist brings the old masters to life in new exhibition

A self-taught artist with a passion for the old masters is showcasing an impressive collection of paintings at The Source Gallery in Thurles this month. Titled A Tribute to the Old Masters, the exhibition features the work of Michael Fogarty and is presented by Thurles Library.

The official launch takes place this Saturday, November 7, at 2pm in the Source Gallery, The Source Arts Centre, Thurles.

His remarkable artistic ability is evident in a collection that combines studies of celebrated works with original compositions inspired by history, industry and the world around him.

Michael, who is from Rahealty just outside of Thurles, has been painting for more than 20 years. A former electrician by trade, his interest in art has steadily grown over the years, with painting becoming an increasingly important part of his life.

Although he describes himself as an amateur rather than a professional artist, Michael's collection demonstrates a deep appreciation for artistic history, alongside a distinctive approach to colour, texture and composition.

A number of the paintings on display are studies and interpretations of works by some of the great artists, while others are entirely original creations.

Michael has a particular interest in the old masters, and several of his paintings draw inspiration from well-known works. One is closely based on a painting by Emile Vernon, while another is a reproduction of the famous ‘Monarch of the Glen’ stag painting.

However, it is not simply about reproducing an image. Michael hopes that visitors will become absorbed in the paintings themselves, rather than concentrating on the person who created them.

Speaking about his approach, he said: "It's not about me. What I would want is if somebody's looking at them, that they forget that I have anything to do with them."

He hopes people will become caught up in the story and emotion of each painting, even to the point where they forget the original artist and the person who has recreated the work.

Among the original pieces is a particularly interesting interpretation of what life might have been like for workers on the factory floor of the former Thurles sugar factory.

Coming from an industrial background himself, Michael drew on that connection to imagine the men working behind their machines. Although he never worked in the sugar factory, the setting provided inspiration for an original composition.

His approach to painting is largely intuitive, rather than following a strict formula for mixing colours, he works directly on the canvas, identifying the closest colour to what he wants to achieve and building from there.

He explained that his technique has developed naturally over time and is difficult to teach because it is so much a part of his own creative process.

"I don't really read much about technique. Practice is the big thing," he said.

His work also incorporates different painting mediums, with Michael using acrylics for backgrounds and oils for the main subjects in certain pieces.

He explained that this approach can help create a greater sense of depth, allowing the main subject to stand out against the background. The technique is particularly evident in his painting of the stag, where the background is completed in acrylic before the main subject is painted in oils.

Interestingly, Michael admitted that he was initially apprehensive about working with oils, but that his attitude changed as he became more familiar with the medium.

He now appreciates the possibilities they offer, having discovered that painting with acrylics can sometimes be more complicated once an artist becomes accustomed to oils.

His collection also reflects an interest in the stories behind the paintings themselves. When working on a particular piece, he likes to research its background and understand the circumstances in which the original work was created.

One example is his interpretation of Rembrandt's ‘Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee’, a painting with a remarkable history. The original was stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston on March 18, 1990, and has never been recovered.

Michael's interest in art extends beyond the visual qualities of a painting. He is equally fascinated by the lives and experiences of the artists behind the work.

He spoke in particular about Artemisia Gentileschi, the 17th-century Italian Baroque painter whose powerful works frequently depicted strong female figures, often in dramatic scenes of violence and retribution. Her own life was marked by a traumatic experience of sexual assault. At the age of 17, she was raped by the painter Agostino Tassi, who had been working with her father, Orazio Gentileschi. A subsequent trial in 1612 saw Tassi found guilty, although his sentence of banishment from Rome was never enforced.

For Michael, understanding that background adds another dimension to appreciating her work.

He also challenges the idea that formal qualifications are essential to being a talented artist. Having taught himself rather than attending art classes, he believes that dedication, practice and an understanding of the subject are what matter most.

He pointed to the celebrated English painter George Stubbs as an example of an artist who was largely self-taught, questioning what it really means to be a qualified artist.

Michael is hoping to be present at the exhibition each afternoon, giving visitors an opportunity to hear more about the paintings, their inspiration and the fascinating stories behind some of the original works.

For him, the exhibition is ultimately about sharing his love of art and encouraging people to take the time to look more closely at the paintings in front of them.

Whether inspired by the great masters, imagined scenes from Tipperary's industrial past or entirely original ideas, his work offers visitors an opportunity to explore both the paintings and the stories that lie behind them.