Brian MacMahon

Limerick born Brian MacMahon is a standout figure in the Irish art world for his expressionist paintings. While studying architecture, MacMahon decided that path was not for him and he instead went to study at the Limerick School of Art. He trained there from 1973 - 1977 and moved to Dublin in 1979. It was here that he began his career as a full-time artist, mainly working on portraits. Today, he can be found back in Limerick city, working en-plein-air, painting the scenes and the people that pass him by. In 2014, a retrospective of his life’s works took place at ‘The Sailor’s Home’, an early Victorian building from 1857 in Limerick that had been salvaged by the Shannon Foynes Port Company.

In this month’s auction, we have a large work by MacMahon of daffodils on a windowsill, looking out to the Liffey. This painting is full of life and colour, as is commensurate with MacMahon’s usual style. The impasto technique brings texture to the painting, making the petals of the daffodils feel as though they are coming off the canvas to greet the viewer. A piece by Brian MacMahon is a must have for any avid contemporary Irish art collector.