Letters from William Orpen to Grace Orpen whilst he is working away from home in Ireland and England
Description
Correspondence includes letters and sketches sent by Orpen to his wife Grace whilst he was working and travelling in Ireland and England. The majority of these are addressed from the Metropolitan School of Art Dublin where Orpen was a tutor for many months each year. Other notable Irish locations from which these letters emerged include Orpen's family home at Oriel, Blackrock, County Dublin; Clonsilla, County Dublin, where the St. George family resided, and where Orpen was known to stay each year when painting annual portraits of the family's children. In addition, Screebe Lodge, Maam Cross Roads, County Galway is also featured in the letters as Orpen travels in the west of Ireland. In England, Orpen is often found writing from his studios in London, namely 5 Bolton Gardens South, London; his early residence 21 Fitzroy Street, London, and 39 Princes Square, London. In addition, a small number of letters appear from Eastwell Park, Ashford, Kent, and Paultons, Romsey, where he undertook commissioned work. A significant proportion of letters are illustrated by Orpen himself. Topics discussed include domestic matters between husband and wife; day-to-day life and work at the Metropolitan School of Art Dublin; commissioned portraits and their progress, as well as Orpen's impressions of his subjects. The file also contains pen and pencil sketches in which Orpen humorously depicts incidents from his daily life to amuse his wife and daughters. These capture personal acquaintances, portrait subjects, preparatory sketches for paintings, as well as city sights, and lighthearted caricatures. Ten letters appear incomplete, having been deliberately torn or cropped, or with a page missing.
Creator
Orpen, Sir William, 1878-1931
Related topics
Title | Letters from William Orpen to Grace Orpen whilst he is working away from home in Ireland and England |
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Creator | Orpen, Sir William, 1878-1931 |
Date | [1901-1929] |
Type | Component |
Ref | IE NGI/IA/ORP1/5/1/1/7/7 |
Level | File |
Condition | Good |
Language | English |
Extent | 214 items |
Archive view
IE NGI/IA/ORP1/5/1/1/7/7 This record