Barry, JAMES

Barry, JAMES, an historical painter, born at Cork, October 11, 1741. He was a protégé of Edmund Burke, through whose liberality he studied for about four years in Italy (1766-70). On his return he was chosen a member of the Royal Academy, and in 1782 professor of Painting. He was of irritable temper, quarrelled with the Royal Academy, and was expelled. He died in poverty on 22d February 1806. His chef-d'œuvre is the 'Victors at Olympia,' one of six paintings to ornament the room of the Society of Arts. See J. Comyns Carr's Papers on Art (1885).