Illustrated letter from William Orpen to Mrs St George with a watercolour sketch entitled 'Myself and Cupid', 1910

William Orpen , Irish, 1878-1931

Title

MediumWatercolour, ink and graphite on paper

Dimensions

25.6 x 20.5 cm

Credit LinePresented, Mrs V. Graves, 1974

Object numberNGI.7830.13

DescriptionIn 1909, Orpen began a series of six selfportraits, five of which featured large mirrors. This illustrated letter includes an annotated study for the painting Myself and Cupid, 1910, which is on display in the third room. There are two significant differences between this sketch and the final oil. In the watercolour, the painter is missing the black hat that can be seen in the oil, and he holds a palette that was omitted from the final picture.

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