Sir Thomas Jaffrey, Bt Lld (Chairman, Aberdeen Art Gallery Com., 1928-51)

Artist Sir William Orpen (Stillorgan, Co. Dublin, Ireland, 1878 - 1931)

SitterSitter is Sir Thomas Jaffrey (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1861 - 1953)

Date1920-1926

Mediumoil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 127.8 cm, Width: 102.2 cm
Frame: Height: 158 cm, Width: 133.5 cm

AcquisitionPresented in 1926 by subscribers.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG004506

Keywords

Portrait

About MePortrait painter Sir William Orpen was active and successful in both Ireland and Britain. His allegiance to Ireland is indicated by his involvement in the Irish Cultural Renaissance and the presence of its leading figures in his paintings. During World War I, Orpen was called the 'Samuel Pepys of the western front' because of his extensive visual records of the war.

This portrait however, is one of a refined gentleman whose daily life does not consist of battles and chaos, but matters of business. The sitter, Sir Thomas Jaffrey served as the Chairman of the Aberdeen Art Gallery (1928-51) and was a keen collector of art. His portrait was commissioned and painted in 1920 but was repainted by Orpen in 1926.

Orpen's assimilation into high society due to his dapper sense of style and outstanding technical abilities as an artist made him more famous than his sitters in some social circles. However, Orpen was deeply affected by the cultural rejection he experienced whilst working and living in Ireland and Britain and was torn between his native homeland and the country that gave him success.