Sir William Orpen 1918 : Official Papers; Correspondence; Manuscript; Newspaper 1918-1919
- Author
- Yockney, Alfred
- Published
- Marlborough, Wiltshire : Adam Matthew Digital, 2014.
- Physical Description
- 1 online resource
- Additional Creators
- Masterman, Charles F G, Orpen, William, and Adam Matthew Digital (Firm)
Access Online
- Language Note
- Text in English, French.
- Summary
- Description: Correspondence continues from the previous year's file in relation to the two portraits of airmen, Rhys Davids and Hoidge, in particular requests for reproductions, and the question of whether Hoidge's name and details of his exploits could be mentioned. As Rhys Davids had been captain of Eton, the school requested a copy of the portrait, and Orpen agreed to produce a copy for Davids' family. (This had still not been carried out by August 1920 - see file /92, (165)). In a letter, Orpen states his intention to present all of his war commission work to the Imperial War Museum. However, there was subsequent confusion over whether Orpen was entitled to do so, as Masterman argued that the Ministry of Information had first choice over all of Orpen's output. Orpen returned to England for a time in April. Around this time, questions were raised over his paintings of 'The Spy', the identity of the subject and the circumstances of the story. Orpen's responses are somewhat evasive, and he describes the matter as "a ticklish business". In fact, the subject was his mistress, Yvonne Aubicq, and the pictures were later retitled 'The Refugee' (A) and (B). Plans were made for Orpen to go to Italy, but as events leading to the end of the war unfolded in France, it was agreed that he would stay there. He returned to France in July. The papers also relate to the Orpen exhibition at Agnew's, and the painting 'Some members of the Allied Press Camp' (IWM:ART 2971). Orpen was desperate to remain in France - "my native land" - and was willing to forego expenses, but there was some confusion on this subject. After the Armistice, arrangements were made for Orpen to paint the Versailles peace conference, which he was keen to do, although he also repeatedly urged Yockney to obtain the necessary permits for him to be able to document the entries into numerous liberated cities. The file also relates to numerous other portraits, including the First Chief Controller, QMAAC in France, Dame Helen Gwynne-Vaughan CBE DSC (IWM:ART 3048).
- Other Subject(s)
- London
- Paris
- Versailles
- Boulogne
- England
- France
- Italy
- USA
- Foch, Ferdinand
- Yockney, Alfred
- Masterman, Charles F G
- Orpen, William
- Buchan, John
- Aitken, Max
- Currie, Sir Arthur William
- Trenchard, Hugh Montague
- French, John
- Haig, Douglas
- Lipsett, L J
- Pershing, John
- George V, King
- Sargent, John Singer
- Plumer, Sir H
- Lee, A N
- Allies
- art
- aircraft
- armistice
- aviation
- censorship
- death
- military leaders
- press
- soldiers
- tanks
- transportation
- war in the air
- war work
- Canadians
- French
- Note
- AMDigital Reference: ART/WA1/090.
- Original Version
- Reproduction of: Sir William Orpen 1918 3 January 1918 - 5 March 1919.
- Location of Originals
- Imperial War Museums
- Copyright Note
- Imperial War Museums
View MARC record | catkey: 26471638