Richard Ryan, Biographia Hibernica: Irish Worthies, Vol. I [of 2] (London & Dublin 1819), pp.31-33

AN eminent landscape painter, was born in that part of the city of Dublin, called the Liberty, in the year 1728. He was a self-taught genius, and, like his countryman, the celebrated Hugh Kelly, was apprenticed to a staymaker, How long he remained in this situation is not known, but his first attempt in art was in the humble line of print-colouring, in which he was employed by one Silcock, who resided then in Nicholas street, Dublin: from this trifling commencement, he rose to considerable powers as a landscape painter, and at-a very early period attended the drawing academy of Mr. West. He was introduced by his protector, Mr. Burke, to the patronage of the Earl of Powerscourt, where he passed the greater part of his youth in studying and designing the sublime and beautiful scenery around Powerscourt park; and about {32} this time a premium being offered by the Dublin society, for the best landscape in oil, Mr. Barret contended for, and obtained it.

In the year 1762, he arrived in London, where he soon distinguished himself, and, in two years after his arrival, gained the fifty pounds premium given by the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, &c. &c. &c. For the establishment of the Royal Academy, the public were, in a great measure, indebted to the exertions of Mr. Barret, who formed the plan, and became one of its earliest members. He was a chaste and faithful delineator of English landscape, which he viewed with the eye of an artist, and selected with the feelings of a man of taste. He had two decided manners of painting, both with regard to colour and touch: his first was rather heavy in both; his latter, much lighter. Scarcely any painter equalled him in his knowledge or characteristic execution of the details. of nature. His attention was chiefly directed to the true colour of English scenery, its richness, dewy freshness, and that peculiar verdure, especially in the vernal months, which is so totally different from the colouring of those masters who have formed themselves on Italian scenery, or Italian pictures. This strong desire sometimes tempted him to use colours both rich and beautiful when first applied, but which no art could render permanent, and which, in some of his slighter works, prevailed to such a degree as to leave scarcely any traces of the original colouring. This resulted from the immoderate use of glazing. The best pictures of this inestimable artist are to be found in the collections of the Dukes of Buccleuch and Portland, and the great room at Mr. Locke’s, Norbury Park, Surrey, consisting of a large room, painted with a continued scene entirely round it; a performance which will ever rank among the most celebrated productions of the art. The idea, in general, characterises the northern part of this country; and, for composition, breadth of effect, {33} truth of colour, and boldness of manner, in the execution, has not been equalled by any modern painter. He exerted his powers to the utmost in this work, as he entertained the warmest sense of Mr. Locke’s great kindness and friendly patronage.

As a man, he was remarkably kind and friendly, and was much respected, not only by his brethren in the art, but by his patrons, who were pleased with the vivacity of his disposition, and the urbanity of his manners. During the last ten years of his life, he resided (on account of his health) at Paddington, where he painted (in conjunction with Mr. Gilpin, the celebrated animal painter,) some of his best easel-pictures. He died at Paddington, in March 1784, aged fifty-four, and was buried in the church-yard of that parish. He left a widow and nine children. In the latter part of his life he enjoyed the place of master-painter to Chelsea Hospital; an appointment conferred upon him by his friend, Edmund Burke, during his short-lived administration. Barret left some spirited etchings of his performances, the best of which is a view in the Dargles, near Dublin. He also painted in water-colours, in which he greatly excelled.