'The Artist's Studio' by John Lavery

John Lavery and his wife Hazel were well known in exclusive social circles in London during the 1910s. As such, they had contact with some of the most powerful figures in early twentieth-century Britain, including Winston Churchill.

Churchill suffered from bouts of severe depression throughout his life, describing it as his ‘black dog’. Hazel Lavery introduced him to painting as a means of easing his suffering. Churchill discovered this to be an effective antidote to his depression, and developed it into a passion that would remain with him throughout his life. He was initially instructed by Hazel, but later joined John Lavery in his studio, occasionally painting alongside him.

Text by Shane Morrissy, Education Assistant, 2017

Read the National Gallery of Ireland's curatorial text about the work here.