James Latham (painter)

James Latham (1696 – 1779) was an Irish portrait painter. He is considered the earliest significant native-born portrait painter to have worked in Ireland.

Latham was born in Tipperary, Ireland. Little is known about his early life or training. He appears to have been largely self-taught, possibly influenced by the work of earlier visiting artists. By the 1720s, he had established a successful portrait painting practice in Dublin, quickly becoming the most fashionable portraitist in the city.

His style is characterized by a directness and honesty of portrayal, often depicting his sitters with a degree of realism that was unusual for the period. While his early works show some stiffness, his later portraits display a greater fluidity and confidence in handling paint. He favoured a relatively simple palette and focused on capturing the likeness and character of his subjects.

Latham painted portraits of numerous prominent figures of Irish society, including members of the aristocracy, clergy, and political elite. His notable sitters included Archbishop Hugh Boulter, Primate of All Ireland, and John Boyle, 5th Earl of Cork.

Although popular and financially successful, Latham’s later life saw a decline in his artistic output and reputation. He suffered from failing eyesight and his work began to be superseded by that of younger, more innovative artists arriving from England and the continent. He died in Dublin in 1779.

Latham’s paintings are now held in various public and private collections, including the National Gallery of Ireland, the National Portrait Gallery, London, and numerous country houses throughout Ireland. His work provides a valuable record of Irish society in the 18th century and cemented his place as a key figure in the history of Irish art.