Lot145

"This is a portrait by Seán O'Sullivan RHA (1906–64) gifted me by a friend who bought it at auction. I cannot say for certain that it was painted in the 1940s, but I feel it dates from that decade. Despite having researched the picture for the past 5 years, and, in the process ‘unearthed’ many forgotten O'Sullivan portraits the mystery of who this woman with the steely gaze is remains. On another, more symbolic level, the portrait is for me a metaphor of the lives of many women who lost themselves and their identity in the Ireland of the time. I would love this woman to get her name back! "