Patrick Hennessy (painter)

Patrick Hennessy (1915 – 1980) was an Irish surrealist painter. Born in Cork, Ireland, Hennessy was largely self-taught, although he briefly attended Dundee School of Art. His style is characterized by meticulous detail, often depicting dreamlike and unsettling scenes blending realism with surrealist elements.

Hennessy's early work focused on landscapes and portraits, often with a social realist sensibility. However, his style evolved towards surrealism in the 1940s, influenced by artists such as Salvador Dalí and René Magritte. Recurring themes in his work include decay, isolation, and the contrast between the natural and the artificial. He often explored the complexities of identity and the human condition within his surreal landscapes.

Hennessy exhibited widely throughout his career, including shows at the Irish Exhibition of Living Art and the Royal Hibernian Academy. He also spent time living and working in London and Spain. Although not always commercially successful during his lifetime, his work has gained increasing recognition posthumously. His paintings can be found in several public collections, including the National Gallery of Ireland.

Hennessy was married to the artist Henry Taylor from 1935 until Taylor's death in 1971. After Taylor's death, Hennessy moved to Spain, where he continued to paint until his own death in 1980.