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Robert Ballagh , Irish, b.1943

Title

Portrait of Noël Browne (1915-1997), Doctor, Politician and Campaigner

Date1985

MediumMixed media

Dimensions

183 x 137 cm

Signed(embossed on book at foot of painting): Docthúir Nollaig de Brún/Roibárd Ballagh

Credit LinePurchased, 1991

Object numberNGI.4573

DescriptionAppointed Minister for Health in 1948, Noël Browne is best remembered for initiating a far-reaching programme for the eradication of tuberculosis, an illness that had claimed several members of his family, and legislating for the associated ‘Mother and Child’ scheme. Intended to provide free medical care for mothers and children under the age of 16, the scheme brought Browne into conflict with Catholic bishops and the medical profession and ultimately led to the fall of the Inter-Party Government in 1951.
Ballagh, best known for his hyperrealist paintings and set design, has addressed social, political and historical subjects many times in his work. in this imposing, non-commissioned portrait, of which the artist himself is particularly fond, he presents Browne as a populist patriot. Dressed casually, Browne stands on a beach in Connemara, his expression reflecting the resolute character for which he was known. The cruciform format of the portrait – it was originally conceived as rectangular – is appropriate to both the sitter’s battle with the Catholic Church and to the professional sacrifice it entailed. Ballagh creates a trompe l’oeil effect by placing real pebbles at the base of the painting as if they have spilled out of the picture. Beside them, to elucidate further Browne’s character, he places three books. One is inscribed with the names of both sitter and artist, the others with the names of Samuel Beckett and Karl Marx respectively.

March 2016
Exhibition HistorySeven, Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, 12 September - 26 October 2013

Label TextAppointed Minister for Health in 1948, Noël Browne is best remembered for initiating a far-reaching programme for the eradication of tuberculosis, and legislating for the associated ‘Mother and Child’ scheme. Intended to provide free medical care for mothers and children under the age of sixteen, the scheme brought Browne into conflict with Catholic bishops and the medical profession. Ballagh has addressed social, political and historical subjects many times in his work. In this imposing portrait, he presents Browne as a populist patriot, standing on a beach in Connemara. Browne’s expression communicates the resolute character for which he was known.