OPW and Dublin Castle Host book launch ‘Neglected Genius: Thomas Frye, an Artist in London’

The Office of Public Works and Dublin Castle are delighted to announce the launch of the book, Neglected Genius: Thomas Frye, an Irish artist in London, by William Laffan., in Dublin Castle on 13th March 2024. This OPW publication accompanies the exhibition Neglected Genius Thomas Frye: An Irish Artist in London, which is currently running in the State Apartment Galleries, Dublin Castle until 14th September 2024.

Born in Offaly in 1710, Thomas Frye moved to London as a young man, where he quickly established himself as a successful portrait painter. From the mid-1740s he ran a factory in Bow, just east of the City of London, set up to recreate Chinese porcelain which had been admired in Europe for centuries. Under Frye’s management, the Bow factory thrived, producing inexpensive ceramics both decorative and utilitarian in a variety of designs.

Thomas Frye was among the earliest European artists to collapse the distinction between ‘high’ art and factory-produced design. In an age of increasing specialisation, the manner in which he ranged freely across multiple techniques and media was unique.

Although his name is scarcely known today outside specialist circles, Frye has a strong claim to the title of the period’s most successful printmaker, industrial artist and design entrepreneur.

William Laffan, curator of the exhibition, writes,

‘Frye must be acknowledged as a pioneering figure in portraiture, porcelain and printmaking, and as one of the most inventive and ‘ingenious’ artists of the Georgian era’.

This exhibition sets side-by-side his portraiture in oil, his enamel miniatures, his mezzotints and the production of the Bow porcelain factory under his management. For the first time equal emphasis is afforded to each facet of this supremely gifted and highly innovative Irish artist.

The Minister of State with responsibility for Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan TD said

‘Long after the exhibition has been taken down, this beautiful crafted catalogue will remain as testimony to this important research project. I would like to extend my sincere thanks and congratulations to the entire team behind the writing, design and production of this handsome book. In particular, William Laffan, project manager Sarah Maguire, designer Jason Ellams, and all the OPW staff involved.'

The exhibition includes loans from international museums and private collections.

For further information, please contact pressoffice@opw.ie Photography from the launch will be available after the event.

Listing Information

Venue: State Apartment Galleries, Dublin Castle

Dates: Running until 14th September 2024

Open daily: 9.45am to 5.45pm (last admission 5.15pm)

Admission: €3.00