James L. Fitzgibbon

James L. Fitzgibbon was an early artist in Kansas City and was one of the founding faculty members of what became the Kansas City Art Institute.

Fitzgibbon was born in Ballingarry County, Tipperary, Ireland, in 1864. He immigrated to the United States in 1872 with his family. He studied art at the National Academy of Design in New York City and then at the Art Institute of Chicago. 

Around 1883 the Fitzgibbon family settled in Kansas City, Missouri. During his career, Fitzgibbon painted around 160 oil paintings. His subject matter ranged from portraits of individuals to religious subjects, cityscapes and landscapes, especially of Colorado between 1889-1895. His portraits include images of William Rockhill Nelson and Bishop John J. Hogan. Fitzgibbon is best known for his oil painting of the junction of Main Street and Delaware in the late 19th century entitled The Junction, painted in 1883. This painting was shown at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis in 1904.

Fitzgibbon lived with his four siblings in the family home at 3704 Bell Street in Kansas City. Neither James nor his siblings married. Fitzgibbon traveled during his lifetime to Chicago, New York City, Alabama and New Orleans, where he painted landscapes. Fitzgibbon’s studio was located in the Deardorf Building at 1120 Main in Kansas City. This was a popular location for artists’ studios in the 19th century. Later his studio moved to the Bayard Building; he stayed there from 1888 to 1889. In 1895 Fitzgibbon’s studio moved to the Temple Block Building at 511 Walnut. 

Fitzgibbon was a  member of the Sketch Club, which met in the Deardorf Building. This was the first art organization in Kansas City. In 1887 the Kansas City Art Association and School of Design was organized, and Fitzgibbon was listed as one of the first three instructors. The other instructors were Lillian Crawford and M.R. Griffin; the director was Lawrence S. Brumidi. The school met in rooms in the Bayard Building at 1214 Main Street.

James L. Fitzgibbon died in Kansas City on October 26, 1929.