Tissot: The Green Coat

In 1909, Lavery married, as his second wife, Hazel Martyn, a beautiful and artistic young American. Possessed of dramatic good looks and theatrical poise, Hazel became Lavery’s muse and the subject of many of his most successful female portraits.

In 1927, Lavery painted Hazel as ‘Kathleen ni Houlihan’, the personification of Ireland, for the currency of the new Irish state.

Donated by the artist, 1929