The Oriel Gallery /ˈrəl/ is a commercial art gallery in Dublin, Ireland, devoted to work by Irish artists. It is Ireland's oldest independent gallery.[1][2][3]

Oriel Gallery
Gailearaí Airgialla
The gallery in 2024
Oriel Gallery is located in Central Dublin
Oriel Gallery
Location within Central Dublin
Established1968 (1968)
Location17 Clare Street, Dublin, Ireland
Coordinates53°20′28″N 6°15′04″W / 53.341231°N 6.251249°W / 53.341231; -6.251249
TypeContemporary art gallery
FounderOliver Nulty
Public transit accessIarnród Éireann Dublin Pearse
Luas Dawson Street (Green Line)
Websitetheoriel.com
The gallery in 2019

History edit

Established in Dublin by Oliver Nulty in 1968, the title refers to the medieval Kingdom of Oriel (Airgíalla), which contained Nulty's hometown of Drogheda. Oriel can also refer to a type of window, or the Welsh word for "gallery." Oliver Nulty (d. 2005) commenced his life as an antiques dealer who, in the course of that work noticed Irish visual art was neglected. He collected for years before opening his gallery and famously said the cultural revival in Ireland was "a tale of two cities" whereas Dublin concentrated on literature, art was confined to Belfast. He also claimed that visual art in Ireland in the 40s, 50s and 60s was "the Cinderella of Irish culture." Nulty, who spotted a niche put fine pieces of Irish art through his gallery in his heyday, including all the heavyweights such as Yeats and Paul Henry. He produced many fine quality catalogues and had a special affection for everything to do with Percy French. Nulty created a market for French and some of the Percy French's he sold were snapped up by Irish-Americans. Nulty was the first mounting an Irish Women's avant-garde exhibition featuring Mainie Jellet, Evie Hone and others which was opened by President Mary Robinson. When Nulty established the Oriel there was no Irish art section in the National Gallery of Ireland.[4][5][6]

Associated artists edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Oriel Gallery | Attractions | Art Galleries | All Ireland | Republic of Ireland | Dublin | Dublin City | Discover Ireland". www.discoverireland.ie.
  2. ^ Kennedy, S. B.; Henry, Paul (12 October 2007). "Paul Henry: With a Catalogue of the Paintings, Drawings, Illustrations". Yale University Press – via Google Books.
  3. ^ Stairs, Susan; Ltd, George Gallery Montague (1 January 1990). "The Irish figurists and figurative painting in Irish art". George Gallery Montague Ltd. – via Google Books.
  4. ^ "Antique Galleries in Ireland | Galleries | MyAntiques.ie". www.myantiques.ie.
  5. ^ "Oriel Gallery | Visit Dublin".
  6. ^ "Irish Art - Oriel Gallery". www.irishart.com.

External links edit