Prints by David Rooney

John Bowen-Colthurst (1880–1965) was a Cork-born British army officer who served in South Africa, India and in France during the first world war (when he was wounded leading an unauthorised frontal attack). Leading patrols from Portobello barracks during the Easter rising, he personally shot dead an unarmed civilian, mortally wounded the captured Volunteer Richard O’Carroll, and ordered the summary executions of three prisoners, including Francis Sheehy-Skeffington. Found guilty of murder but insane by a court martial, within several years he was released as sane and emigrated to Canada.

• The portrait is lithograph printed onto 500x 500mm (image area 280x270mm) cuts of uncoated Munken Lynx rough paper (170 g/m2), signed and numbered by David Rooney and limited to just 100 pressings.
• Prints conveniently fit Ikea ‘RIBBA’ frames.

Illustrator David Rooney’s artwork features in publications by The Folio Society, London, and in cultural centres such as the Titanic Experience, Belfast, King John’s Castle, Limerick; and the Stonehenge visitor centre.

1916 Portraits and Lives is available to purchase from our online shop.