Creator Record
Metadata
Name |
Healy, G. P. A. |
Notes |
G.P.A. Healy was the first of five children of Mary Hicks and William Healy, an Irish immigrant and captain of a merchant vessel. G.P.A. Healy was a self-taught painter and opened up a shop where he hoped to stimulate income for his family in 1830. Although at first he was not very successful, with the encouragement of Thomas Sully, Healy eventually made painting his profession full time. His first real boost in attention came when Mrs. Harrison Gray Otis (a leader in Boston society) asked him to paint her portrait, and she went on to recommend him to other patrons. In 1834 Healy traveled to France to study with Baron Antoine-Jean Gros. He also traveled throughout Italy, visiting museums and churches. While in the company of Lady and Sir Arthur Faulkner, Healy was introduced to London society, where he met his future wife, Louisa Phipps. They were married in 1839. He thrived in both the United States and Europe and by 1867 he had painted more than 600 portraits. Healy died in Chicago on June 24, 1894. |
Nationality |
American |
Occupation |
Artist, America and Europe |
