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Seán O'Sullivan , Irish, 1906-1964

Title

Self-Portrait

Date1932

MediumRed chalk and charcoal with white highlights on grey paper

Dimensions

57.6 x 38 cm

Signedlower right: June 7 1932 Seán O'Sullivan

Credit LinePurchased, 1963

Object numberNGI.3772

DescriptionIn this bold self-portrait, Seán O’Sullivan captures himself gazing into a mirror. With a pipe in his mouth and arm raised to his easel, it almost feels as if we have rudely interrupted him at work. He loosely outlines his clothing and the interior setting, and hones in on capturing his confident expression. His portraiture practice is hinted at in the two sketches in the background – a nude woman and a head in caricature.

(Katie Buckley, Curatorial Fellow - Prints and Drawings, An Artist's Presence, 2025, Print Gallery)