NORTHERN Ireland's golfers have been creating waves recently so the timing – and a Co Down venue – could hardly be more appropriate to exhibit a rare fine art image of the sport. Portrait of Dolly Stilesby Irish artist Sir William Orpen (1878-1931) depicts a young Scottish socialite carrying a set of clubs and was painted in 1916.
Orpen had been a house-guest of her parents in East Lothian and the portrait was commissioned by Sir Harold and Lady Stiles to mark their daughter’s 21st birthday.
Incidentally, Orpen went on to produce probably the most famous picture of a golfer when he was commissioned to paint a portrait of Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) – honorary captain – by The Royal and Ancient Golf Club in St Andrews.
The portrait of Dolly is among some 50 paintings and sculptures selected from private collections for a summer exhibition, A Celebration of Irish Art and Modernismorganised by Adam's at the Ava Gallery in Bangor, Co Down. The gallery is in the grounds of the Clandeboye Estate, home of Lady Dufferin, The Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava.
The exhibition could make for a pleasant afternoon for anyone holidaying up North or a day trip from the South – the location is a two-and-a-half hour drive from Dublin. In addition to the Orpen, there are pictures by many of the major figures of 20th century Irish art, including Sean Keating, Mary Swanzy and Jack B Yeats.
The paintings are not for sale and entry is free to the exhibition which runs until September 3rd. Gallery talks take place on Wednesday August 15th (Dr S B Kennedy at 5pm) and on Wednesday August 30th (Dr Róisín Kennedy at 4pm). Golfers can also avail of Clandeboye Estate’s “pay-and-play” Blackwood Golf Centre. See adams.ie/clandeboye
