Cropped letter from William Orpen to Mrs St George with a sketch of the artist painting

William Orpen , Irish, 1878-1931

Title

MediumInk on paper

Dimensions

15.7 x 20.5 cm

Credit LinePresented, Mrs Vivien Graves, 1974

Object numberNGI.7830.171

DescriptionThis somewhat sentimental sketch indicates Orpen’s ceaseless passion for and dedication to his art. Using pen and ink, he portrays himself seated on a stool leaning towards his canvas with paintbrushes and palette to hand. Next to the drawing, he writes ‘How Woppy hopes to spend Christmas morning.’ In his illustrated letters to Mrs St George, he frequently refers to himself by the pet-name ‘Woppy’.

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