Cornelius McCarthy (1935–2009) was a British painter born in 1935 into a mixed family of Irish Catholic and Eastern European Jewish migrants.

McCarthy became known for his distinctive portrayal оf the male figure, often with an intimate approach.

His work primarily explored themes of male beauty, relationships, and identity, frequently featuring homoerotic undertones while celebrating tenderness and vulnerability.

McCarthy was influenced by; Catholic artifacts and images, Picasso’s work and Keith Vaughan’s 1962 show featuring male nudes. His style uses strong lines and rich colour palettes to create expressive, emotionally resonant works. 

Cornelius held exhibitions at the Whitechapel Art Gallery and the Adonis Gallery.

His art has gained increasing recognition for it’s contribution tо LGBTQ+ representation in the visual arts.