Lavery on Location Companion Book

7 October 2023 - 14 January 2024 
Rooms 6 -10, Beit Wing | Ticketed 

This is the companion book to the Gallery's major exhibition of the Autumn, Lavery, On Location. Written and edited by the exhibition's curators Kenneth McConkey and Brendan Rooney, this is a beautiful edition that covers the entire exhibition with exquisite printing and essays. 

Sir John Lavery was an internationally renowned Irish painter at the turn of the 20th century, and the only Irishman to receive the Freedom of both Dublin and Belfast in the inter-war period, in a divided Ireland. This major exhibition will focus on the artist’s impressions of the people and locations that he encountered during a life filled with travel, allowing visitors to take a fresh look at the work of this highly respected painter.

Lavery never travelled for business or pleasure without his painting kit, and this exhibition will explore some of the key destinations depicted in his art, from Scotland to Palm Springs. Paintings such as The Bridge at Grez have become the essential images of their times. The Gallery’s recently acquired A Garden in France (1898) is a highlight of the show. There are also studies from Switzerland, Spain, Ireland and Italy, and depictions of cities from Glasgow to London, Venice, Cannes and New York. Such was the richness and variety of Lavery’s work that Winston Churchill was led to conclude that his artistic mentor, was a ‘plein-airiste if ever there was one’.

Authors: Kenneth Mc Conkey, with an essay by Brendan Rooney

On the occasion of the exhibition organised by National Gallery of Ireland, in collaboration with National Museums NI and National Galleries Scotland.

Design: Jason Ellams

Editor :Brendan Rooney

Copy-Editing: Brendan O' Brien

Print: Castuera

Cover image: The Bridge at Grez, Ulster Museum Collection. Photograph National Museums NI.

Lavery On Location exhibition in Dublin and this publication are proudly supported by Arthur Cox LLP. Additional support for this publication was received from Brian and Susan Dickie and Brian Kennelly SC.

ISBN: 9781911716020