[Illustrated letter from William Orpen to Mrs St George with a sketch of the artist and three women]

Final-page of a handwritten letter on graph paper in which Orpen mentions Nathaniel Hone's portrait. He also includes a humorous sketch of himself asking three women to leave a room.

[1907]

Ink on Paper

Orpen painted Nathaniel Hone's portrait in 1907. The portrait was part of Hugh Lane's collection of portraits of distinguished Irishmen for the modern gallery in Dublin. Orpen painted six portraits which completed the series started by John Butler Yeats.

Private Collection

Prints & Drawings Department

 

 

Sir William Orpen, Irish artist, born in Dublin, Orpen trained at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art before moving to London to study at the Slade School of Fine Art. He remained in London and became a highly successful portrait and subject painter. Appointed Official War Artist in 1917, Orpen left for France and was stationed at Amiens and the Somme Battlefields. He returned to London after the war and remained there until his death.