Francis O’Toole is an Irish painter based in Dublin.
Francis O’Toole at a glance
- Nationality: Irish
- Known for: Figurative painting
- Medium: Oil painting
- Education: Classical art techniques in Florence, Italy, studied on and off for four years
- Award: E.S.B. Sean Keating Award for Outstanding Painting (2014)
“One day out of concern for her son Francis’ mother suggested he paint, at first Francis believe this to be silly, but slowly began to enjoy this activity.”
At age 17, Francis O’Toole was involved in an industrial accident that nearly claimed his life, and after spending over a year in hospital and rehabilitation, he spent years confused about what path to take in life, which led him to stray into a dark world of criminals, until his mother suggested he paint, and he slowly began to enjoy the activity.
Francis O’Toole initially worked from his mind, and his work began to receive attention and he entered a gallery, but he was not satisfied with the results, so he decided to study classical art techniques in Florence, Italy, where he studied intermittently for four years.
Francis O’Toole has won numerous awards, including the One World Together Gold Medal in 2017, the Conor Prize for best figurative work at the Royal Ulster Academy in 2016, and the E.S.B Sean Keating Award for outstanding painting in 2014, and he has exhibited extensively in Ireland, the UK, and Europe.
Francis O’Toole’s exhibitions include the VUE Contemporary Art Fair at the Royal Hibernian Academy, the Barcelona Art Fair in Spain, the Fresh Air Art Fair in the UK, and the Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Show, and he has also exhibited in the Royal Ulster Academy Annual Show.
Francis O’Toole was selected to exhibit works alongside the world-famous artist Odd Nerdrum in Norway in 2008, and he has participated in shows at the Mall Galleries in London and the Oriel Gallery in Dublin, demonstrating his growing reputation on the international stage.
- Based in Dublin, Ireland.
- He studied classical art techniques in Florence, Italy.
- He won the One World Together Gold Medal in 2017.
- He exhibited alongside Odd Nerdrum in Norway in 2008.
- His work has been shown at the Mall Galleries in London.
Francis O’Toole’s work has been featured in the Cherrylane Fine Arts exhibitions in Dublin, and he has participated in the R.D.S. Arts and Antiques shows, and his journey from tragedy to artistic success is a testament to the transformative power of art and the support of his family.
Art Category Fact: The Angel Academy of Art in Florence, Italy, is a prestigious institution known for its rigorous training in classical drawing and painting techniques, based on the principles of the 19th-century French atelier system, and it has produced many notable artists who have gone on to achieve international recognition.
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” — Edgar Degas
You can see more of Francis O’Toole’s paintings on his official website, francisotooleartist.com.