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Image of Bono published by U2 Principle Management
Le Brocquy commission for Ireland's National Gallery Portrait Collection available as poster.
The National Gallery of Ireland's specially commissioned oil portrait of Bono, by Ireland's most important living painter, Louis le Brocquy, represents a remarkable crystallisation of contemporary Irish culture. Le Brocquy's work has defined Irish painting since the 1950s, while Bono is arguably the world's best-known citizen of Ireland. The two men are friends and have been admirers of each other's work for many years.
The painting, entitled Image of Bono - the fifth in a series of portraits commissioned for the Irish National Portrait Collection - is available as a poster. Measurements: 62 x 45 cm. Distribution: U2 Principle Management.
Le Brocquy commission for Ireland's National Gallery Portrait Collection.
The National Gallery of Ireland has unveiled its specially commissioned oil portrait of Bono of the rock-group U2, by Ireland's most important living painter, Louis le Brocquy. The painting, entitled Image of Bono, is the fifth in a series of portraits commissioned for the Irish National Portrait Collection. It will be on display to the public from October 21, 2003.
The portrait is not only the most important commission yet for the Irish National Portrait Collection, but represents a remarkable crystallisation of contemporary Irish culture. Le Brocquy's work has defined Irish painting since the 1950s, while Bono is arguably the world's best-known citizen of Ireland. The two men are friends and have been admirers of each other's work for many years.
Referring to his work, Louis le Brocquy says: 'In the past, I have painted an extensive series of interiorised head images of artists such as Samuel Beckett and Francis Bacon, WB Yeats and Seamus Heaney whom I see as extraordinary instances of human consciousness. In more recent years, I have made a number of similar studies of Bono, whose spirit and whose radiant enery I admire so much. But a painting destined for the National Portrait Gallery presents a different chalenge; to make a recognisable image of Bono's outward appearance, while attempting to portray what I conceive to be the wavelengths of his inner dynamism.'
The National Portrait Collection has been a feature of the National Gallery of Ireland since its foundation in 1884. It was taken off display in the 1970's, but has now been reinvigorated with the support of Irish Life and Permanent plc. Irish Life & Permanent National Portrait Gallery.