The National Gallery of Ireland

 

Saturday 23 February 2013, Lecture Theatre

Modernist Images & Portrait Painting will explore the impact of a number of significant portraits and images. Speakers will focus on a well-known painter and an equally famous subject, together with a trilogy of key works by William Orpen created at the turn of the twentieth century. Guest speakers will address the issue of being the subject of a portrait and conclude with a focus on the artist’ perspective of painting portraits.

The National Gallery of Ireland first displayed its National Portrait Collection in 1884, since when images of Irish men and women of historical, literary, political and cultural backgrounds have been acquired on a regular basis.

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09.50    Welcome

10.00    William Orpen's trilogy of Modernist images, including 'The Holy Well'.
Professor Emeritus Kenneth McConkey, University of Northumbria.

10.45    The face behind the portrait of Ireland's most famous tenor: William Orpen (1878-1931), 'Count John McCormack 1884-1945'.
Professor Deborah Kelleher, Director, Royal Irish Academy of Music, and Dr. Veronica Dunne, singer, teacher, musical direcor and patron of opera.

11.30    Morning Coffee

12.00    The patience and rewards of being a 'sitter' for a portrait painting.
Gemma Tipton, independent writer and critic of contemporary art and architecture.

12.30    The challenge to the artist of painting portraits
Colin Davidson RUA, contemporary artist.

1.00    Panel Discussion
Chair: Professor Declan McGonagle, Director, the National College of Art and Design.

1.30    Poetry reading by Michael Longley. In association with Poetry Ireland.

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Details: Tickets: €25 ; Students: €5, in advance from the Gallery Shop

Tel: +353 1 663 3518 Email: bookshop@ngi.ie

For further information contact the Education Department

Tel: +353 1 663 3504/5  Email: education@ngi.ie