Biography of William Orpen 1878-1931

Before 27th November 1878 [his father] Arthur Herbert Orpen (age 48) and [his mother] Anne Caulfield were married.

On 27th November 1878 William Orpen was born to Arthur Herbert Orpen (age 48) and Anne Caulfield at Stillorgan, Dublin.

1900. William Orpen (age 21). "The Mirror". Model Emily Scoble from the Slade School of Art tto whom the artist was briefly engaged. She ended their relationship in 1901.

1901. William Orpen (age 22). Self-Portrait. "The family of George Swinton" including George Swinton (age 41) and Elizabeth Ebsworth.

George Swinton: On 10th May 1859 he was born to Archibald Campbell Swinton and Georgiana Caroline Sitwell. In 1895 George Swinton and Elizabeth Ebsworth were married. On 17th January 1937 George Swinton died.

Elizabeth Ebsworth: she was born to E H Ebsworth of Gattonside.

After 1901 William Orpen (age 22) and Grace Knewstub were married.

1905. William Orpen (age 26). "The Mirror".

1907. William Orpen (age 28). Self-Portrait. "Self-portrait with glasses".

Around 1907. William Orpen (age 28). Portrait of Grace Gifford (age 18).

Grace Gifford: On 4th March 1888 she was born. On 3rd May 1916 Joseph Plunkett and she were married in the chapel of Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin, a few hours before he was executed. Guards John Smith and John Lockerby were the only two witnesses. On 4th May 1916 Joseph Plunkett was executed for his part in the Easter Rising. His wife, Grace Gifford, who hed had married hours before, was woken at two am and taken back to the jail where they had their final meeting. On 13th December 1955 she died.

Around 1908 to 1912. William Orpen (age 29). "[his wife] Grace reading at Howth Bay". Model the artist's wife Grace Knewstub.

Grace Knewstub: After 1901 William Orpen and she were married.

1913. William Orpen (age 34). Self-Portrait. "Sowing New Seed".

1913. William Orpen (age 34). Self-Portrait. "Sowing New Seed".

1915. William Orpen (age 36). Portrait of Myra Idina Sackville Countess of Erroll (age 21).

1917. William Orpen (age 38). Portrait of Lady Marriott, Maud "Momo" Kahn (age 20).

Maud "Momo" Kahn: In 1897 she was born. In 1960 she died.

1917. William Orpen (age 38). Portrait of Yvonne Aubicq.

1917. William Orpen (age 38). "The Refugee". Model Yvonne Aubicq.

1917. William Orpen (age 38). Self-Portrait.

1918. William Orpen (age 39). "Zonnebeke".

1918. William Orpen (age 39). "Dead Germans in a Trench".

1919. William Orpen (age 40). Portrait of Edgar Gascoyne-Cecil 1st Viscount Cecil (age 54).

1919. William Orpen (age 40). Portrait of Charles Sackville-West 4th Baron Sackville (age 48).

Charles Sackville-West 4th Baron Sackville: On 10th August 1870 he was born to William Sackville-West and Georgina Dodwell. On 28th January 1928 Lionel Sackville-West 3rd Baron Sackville died. His brother Charles succeeded 4th Baron Sackville of Knole in Kent. On 8th May 1962 Charles Sackville-West 4th Baron Sackville died. His son Edward succeeded 5th Baron Sackville of Knole in Kent.

1919. William Orpen (age 40). Portrait of George Allardice 1st Baron Riddell (age 53).

1919. William Orpen (age 40). Portrait of Edward George Villiers Stanley 17th Earl of Derby (age 53).

In 1926 [his father] Arthur Herbert Orpen (age 96) died.

1928. William Orpen (age 49). Portrait of Ernest Benn 2nd Baronet (age 52).

Ernest Benn 2nd Baronet: On 25th June 1875 he was born. On 17th January 1954 he died.

1929. William Orpen (age 50). Portrait of Reginald Brabazon 12th Earl of Meath (age 87).

Reginald Brabazon 12th Earl of Meath: On 31st July 1841 he was born to William Brabazon 11th Earl of Meath and Harriot Brooke Countess Meath. In 1868 Reginald Brabazon 12th Earl of Meath and Mary Jane Maitland Countess Meath were married. She the daughter of Thomas Maitland 11th Earl Lauderdale and Amelia Young. He the son of William Brabazon 11th Earl of Meath and Harriot Brooke Countess Meath. On 26th May 1887 William Brabazon 11th Earl of Meath died. His son Reginald succeeded 12th Earl Meath, 13th Baron Ardee, 3rd Baron Chaworth of Eaton Hall in Herefordshire. Mary Jane Maitland Countess Meath by marriage Countess Meath. On 11th October 1929 Reginald Brabazon 12th Earl of Meath died. He was buried at Delgany Church, County Wicklow. His son Reginald succeeded 13th Earl Meath, 14th Baron Ardee, 4th Baron Chaworth of Eaton Hall in Herefordshire.

On 29th September 1931 William Orpen (age 52) died.