Northern Irish painter Brian Ferran trained as an art teacher before attending the Courtauld Institute, London and the Brera Academy of Fine Art, Milan. In his work, Ferran draws on themes from history, archaeology and mythology. He received the Douglas Hyde Gold Medal for Irish historical painting in 1965 and 1978. Ferran served on the Arts Council of Northern Ireland between 1966 and 1990. He is an Honorary Member of the Royal Hibernian Academy and the Royal Ulster Academy.