A Mother and Child

Rothwell was born in Athlone and trained as an artist at the Dublin Society's School where he acquired considerable skill as a draughtsman. He was elected a member of the Royal Hibernian Academy in 1824. In 1829 he moved to London, where he worked for a while in Sir Thomas Lawrence's studio. Lawrence thought very highly of him calling him the 'Irish prodigy' and on the latter's death in 1830 Rothwell was entrusted with the finishing of his uncompleted portraits. His own portraits were much in demand by the 1830 and a note on his paintings in the Royal Academy in that year says 'Mr. Rothwell it is true, is in fashion and has his door beset with carriages, and fashion like folly, knows no reason and his commissions are numberless' (Whitley Papers, Vol 10, p.1308). This picture was exhibited by the artist at the Art Union of Ireland where it won a #100 prize. Professor Anne Crookshank and the Knight of Glin refer to this picture as 'one of his best' and comment: ' Here can we see the emotional intensity which he creates out of his rich colours and contrasting shadows and the skin which Sir Edwin Landseer admired so much.' ( A. Crookshank and the Knight of Glin, The Painters of Ireland c.1660-1920, London, 1978, pp.226-8, illustrated).