"It is Finished". 5th Jan 1935 (Lady Lavery)
Artist
Sir John Lavery
(1856 - 1941)
Date1935
MediumOil on canvas board
Dimensions50.8 x 60.4 cm
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineCollection & image © Hugh Lane Gallery.
Lady Lavery Memorial Bequest through Sir John Lavery, 1935.
Object number758
DescriptionHazel Lavery died on 3rd January 1935. Lavery painted this canvas two days later, prior to the funeral which took place at Brompton Oratory, London. As he responded to her in life through his art, so Lavery was compelled to honour her in death. However, Hazel would never have sanctioned a portrait which betrayed the ravages of her illness - a wish which Lavery respected. Painted by candlelight, the bedroom and draped coffin are described in lurid hues which perhaps further reflect the artist's sense of anguish and loss. Just as he had protrayed Michael Collins on a funeral bier in 'Love of Ireland' so too Lavery sought to commemorate Hazel's devotion to Ireland in this painting which he subsequently presented to the Hugh Lane Gallery: 'It is for Ireland. She loved her country.'(Catalogue Entry [31]: Hazel, Lady Lavery Society and Politics, Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, 18 September - 3 November 1996, p. 225)
On View
Not on view
