Áine Andrews Artist

Famous Paintings and their Hidden Histories begins in the Triskel Arts Center Cork on October 28th  https://triskelartscentre.ie/events/1-portrait-of-hugh-lane/

The portrait of Hugh Lane by John Singer Sargent, is the first in my Art Appreciation series lectures.

The artist depicts him  as an elegant aesthete in jacket, stock and striped waistcoat, clutching gloves to his chest, with an expression that is romantic, far-away, even melancholic.

Hugh Lane was an admirer of Sargent and this work was commissioned by Lane's supporters and presented to him at a ceremony in Dublin on 11 January 1907 in recognition of his 'strenuous labour for the public good, tireless energy, and splendid generosity; combined with brilliant organising capabilities and fine judgement.'

The artist depicts the art dealer, collector and founder of one of the first galleries of modern art as a languid and elegant figure and the portrait had pride of place in Lane's own home but the legacy of this complicated individual remains controversial to this day.

This large scale commission for a batik wall hanging kept me busy but very in tune with nature throughout the Spring of 2024. Up early to catch the sunrise (and the swimmers) in Fountainstown and plenty of puddles catching reflections in March. The crows kept me company throughoutwith nest building and 'songs'. April brought the bluebells and May the marguerites .