William Ashford

William Ashford (1746 – 17 April 1824) was an English painter who worked exclusively in Ireland, where he lived from the age of 18, having initially gone there to take up a post with the Ordnance Office. His earliest paintings were flower pieces and still lifes, but from 1772 he exhibited landscapes. He became president of the Irish Society of Artists in 1813, and was first elected President of the Royal Hibernian Academy. His works include a set of views in and around Mount Merrion, painted for the 4th Earl FitzWilliam.

Life Ashford was born in Birmingham, England in 1746, baptised 20 May 1746 in St Martin's parish church. He was the son of Richard Ashford. Little is known about his education, but it is presumed he received some technical or artistic training in England. His job, at least in the early years, consisted of checking on the armaments stored at forts and barracks across Ireland.

Ashford married in around 1775, although the name of his wife is unknown. The couple had two sons and one daughter. His son Daniel, also became an artist, but did not receive the same acclaim as his father. From 1792 until his death, Ashford lived at Roslyn Park in Sandymount, County Dublin, a house designed for him by the architect, James Gandon.

Career

Within three years of his arrival in Dublin, Ashford was exhibiting with the Society of Artists on William Street. He initially worked on flower paintings and still lifes, and in 1772 a landscape of his was exhibited at the Dublin Royal Society of Arts. After the death of Thomas Roberts, Ashford became the pre-eminent landscape painter in Ireland.

Ashford was among the most respected landscape painters of Ireland in his time, on par with Thomas Roberts and George Barret. Institutions such as Society of Artists in Ireland, the Academy of Artists in Dublin, and the Cork Society for Promoting Fine Arts exhibited his work. He was most prolific from 1777 to 1813, selling numerous paintings at auction. The Fitzwilliam commission was the last major one he received, although he continued to paint, and held an exhibition of his works in the board room of the Dublin Society's premises in 1819.

Later life and recognition

Ashford died on 17 April 1824 at his home.

In January 2008, three paintings by Ashford were donated to the Irish Heritage Trust by a Cork business family, the McCarthys.

Ashworth's House

William Ashford is believed to have commissioned his friend James Gandon architect to build him a residence at Lord Merrions's brickfields close to the sea near Dublin called Laburnum lodge. Ashford had worked extensively for Lord Merrion and his family. The House was built in 1788 and 1789 as a five bay villa style house with an attic over the front door. the house is on two floors, main floor and basement.