Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720 - 1940

Scene painter, for whom see W.G. Strickland, A Dictionary of Irish Artists (1913), II, 20-21.  Nothing is known of the origins of John Lewis, who was employed by Thomas Sheridan as a scene painter at the Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin in the 1750s.   On a visit to Quilca House, Co. Cavan, with Sheridan, he decorated the parlour with painted clouds on the ceiling and portraits of Sheridan, Swift, Shakespeare and Milton with allegorical figures on the east wall.  When Strickland wrote his Dictionary, one panel, rescued from the house after it was deserted towards the end of the eighteenth century, survived.(1)





References



(1) It was then in the possession of a Mr O'Farrelly at Rafenny House, Virginia, Co. Cavan.


1 work entries listed in chronological order for LEWIS, JOHN [1] *


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Building: CO. CAVAN, QUILCA HOUSE
Date: 1750s
Nature: Decoration of parlour for Thomas Sheridan (grandfather of Richard Brinsley Sheridan) with painted clouds on the ceiling and portraits of Sheridan, Swift, Shakespeare and Milton with allegorical figures on east wall.
Refs: W.G. Strickland, A Dictionary of Irish Artists (1913), II, 20-21.