The Art of Sir William
Orpen
The dazzling Irish
painter created portraits with an amazing force
of precision.
 ne
of my favorite artists has always been the great
Irish painter Sir William Orpen (1878 - 1931).
His masterful portraits are extraordinarily
vivid, the combined product of superb draftsmanship,
rich color, and an unerring control of tonal
values. He was first and foremost a painter—the strong, decisive brushstrokes are
placed with athletic vigor and uncanny accuracy.
There never seems to be an ounce of hesitancy
or indecision—every stroke registers
like a clear, precise note of music. I offer
four examples for you to study:
 |
1. President Woodrow Wilson
Here we see Orpen's famous study
of President Woodrow Wilson, hanging
today in the White House. This astonishing
tour de force is reputed to have
been completed in an hour and a
half! (One of my own sitters, Mr.
John J. McCloy of New York, actually
watched as the painting was done,
at the Palace of Versailles, following
World War I.) The artist has stated
the sober architecture of the head
with uncompromising accuracy. The
facial expression is thoughtful,
resolute, and a bit sad. The white
background drape contrasts with
the rich blacks of the coat. The
unfinished effect of the lower portion
heightens the sense of immediacy.
Does portraiture ever get better
than this?
1919,
Oil on canvas
The White House, Washington
|
| page 1
2 3
4 |
|
|
