William Orpen’s The Mirror is an exploration of light, shadow, reflection, observation, the seen and the unseen. A young woman sits sideways against the wall of a muted drawing-room, her stillness contrasted by the busy image in the convex mirror behind her, which encapsulates the artist's entire hidden studio, and draws the viewer into the work. The subjects eyes are almost entirely in shadow, we cannot really see her. It is a hauntingly beautiful, layered, and somewhat unsettling composition which seems to be exploring the interplay between what can and cannot be seen.
A Tate Gallery fine art print on 300gsm Purcell Ultrasmooth matte fine art paper for these luxury fine art prints to create museum-quality reproductions. A smooth, matte, bright-white finish delivers masterful colour matches, image stability and excellent durability. Fade resistant for more than 200 years. It is complimented by a fully restored oak frame from the same period with a new real-gilt slip, new glass, hanging hardware and a beeswax finish.
Overall Frame Size - 45 x 485 x 585mm
Image Size - 330 x 440mm
Painted in 1900, The Mirror is a monumental early work that launched William Orpen’s career shortly after he graduated from the Slade School of Art. The painting features his future sister-in-law, Emily Scobel, sitting in a domestic interior. Deeply influenced by Jan van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait, Orpen places a circular convex mirror on the back wall. This mirror beautifully reflects a miniature version of the entire scene, including a tiny self-portrait of Orpen himself standing at his easel. Combining traditional Dutch interiors with English Edwardian style, the work established Orpen as a premier painter of light and psychological depth.
The piece comes fitted with high quality hanging hardware and arrives ready-to-hang. Professionally packed and shipped on a fully trackable service with DPD.
In stock - Ready to ship.
