John Comerford

John Comerford (1770–25 January 1832) was a miniature painter. Early life John Comerford was born in Kilkenny around 1770, though some sources put his date of birth as early as around 1762. His father was a local flax-dresser, and Comerford grew up opposite the Tholsel. Having gained some knowledge of art from copying the pictures in the collection of the Marquis of Ormonde at Kilkenny Castle, he went early in life to Dublin, and entered as a student in the art schools of the Dublin Society. In 1790, Comerford was recommended for a certificate from the school commending his "extraordinary merit in drawing from the flat". He was awarded a medal for his figure-drawing in 1791. Career He spent the early part of his career in Kilkenny and neighbouring counties, but he also worked in Dublin. His first commissions were of family members, including Jane, Anne, and Michael Langton of High Street, Kilkenny in 1794, and Lady Dunsany. Others were from the Dublin Society, painting portraits of Thomas Braughall and Dr Edward Walsh. His portrait of Walsh was later etched for the Dublin University Magazine in 1834 by John Kirkwood. His earlier work has been likened to the work of American portrait-painter Gilbert Stuart, who lived in Dublin from 1787 to 1793, but he was influenced later by English–born artist George Chinnery.