Robert Fagan

Robert Fagan (c. 1761 – August 26, 1816) was an Irish painter, diplomat and archaeologist.

Career

The son of Cork immigrants, Fagan was born in London. As an archaeologist he traveled to Italy and was involved in the excavations near Laurentum, which resulted in the discovery of the Venus at the Capitoline. Fagan then became British Consul general in Sicily in 1809.[1] As an artist, he made a career out of painting portraits, often for traveling English families. He was married twice, first to Anna Marie Ferri and then to Maria Ludovica’ Flajani a young Italian girl whom he married in 1801, just six months after his first wife's death.[2] Fagan fell into debt, and committed suicide in Rome by jumping from a window.[3] His grandson Louis Alexander Fagan was a noted engraver and writer.[4]

References

  1. ^ Aspects of Irish Art. National Gallery of Ireland. Cahill & Co. 1974. Pg 108. Retrieved Mar. 18, 2008.
  2. ^ [1] Fagan at Princess Grace Irish Library. Retrieved Oct. 01, 2007.
  3. ^ [2] Art 4 a Day. July 14, 2004. Retrieved May 13, 2008.
  4. ^ Louis A. Fagan, List of donors, British Museum, accessed June 2010