Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Latham, James
LATHAM, JAMES (d. 1750?), portrait-painter, was a native of Tipperary. When young he studied art at Antwerp, and about 1725 began to practise portrait-painting in Dublin. Latham was the earliest native artist who gained any repute in Ireland, and from his skill in painting portraits he was called the 'Irish Vandyck.' It is stated that he also worked for a short time in London. Latham's works are seldom met with out of Ireland, but are to be found in many family mansions there. His portraits of Margaret Woffington and of Geminiani the composer attracted much notice. Several of his portraits were engraved, including those of Bishop Berkeley and Sir John Ligonier by John Brooks, Sir Samuel Cooke by John Faber, jun., and Patrick Quin by Andrew Miller. Latham died in Trinity Street, Dublin, about 1750.
[Pasquin's Artists of Ireland; Gilbert's Hist. of Dublin, iii. 329; Walsh's Dublin, ii. 1163; Chaloner Smith's British Mezzotinto Portraits.]