Simon Elwes
, British, 1902-1975
Title
The Most Reverend John Charles McQuaid, Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of IrelandDate1969
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions
127 x 102 cm
Signedlower left: Simon Elwes 69
Credit LinePresented, 1970
Object numberNGI.1980
DescriptionOrdained a priest of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost in 1924, Charles McQuaid became President of Blackrock College, Co. Dublin in 1931. In 1940, he was consecrated Archbishop of Dublin, a position he held until 1972. He was recognised as an able churchman and administrator and exercised enormous influence over church and social affairs throughout his tenure as Archbishop. His rhetoric was notoriously firm, and often unyielding, as in the case of his dealings with Minister for Health, Dr Noel Browne (1925-97) regarding Browne's proposals for free medical care for mothers. Elwes presents McQuaid in his ecclesiastical robes. The penetrating gaze engaging the viewer communicates McQuaid's authority. Elwes, who studied at the Slade School and Paris, specialised in portrait painting.