Eileen Gray, Irish Architect (1878-1976)
I thought it would be nice to do a portrait of Eileen Gray, a very nearly forgotten figure in 20th century design and architecture. Born in Enniscorthy, County Wexford she was the first female architect (self-taught) to complete a modernist piece of architecture, the villa named E-1027. Credit for the design of E-1027 was wrongly claimed by her lover Jean Bodovici and only for research and exhibitions in the later part of her life, was the credit rightfully restored to her. Also an accomplished furniture designer, many pieces are still made today. In the portrait she is sitting in her famous Bibendum chair. She rests in Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris.
I thought it would be nice to do a portrait of Eileen Gray, a very nearly forgotten figure in 20th century design and architecture. Born in Enniscorthy, County Wexford she was the first female architect (self-taught) to complete a modernist piece of architecture, the villa named E-1027. Credit for the design of E-1027 was wrongly claimed by her lover Jean Bodovici and only for research and exhibitions in the later part of her life, was the credit rightfully restored to her. Also an accomplished furniture designer, many pieces are still made today. In the portrait she is sitting in her famous Bibendum chair. She rests in Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris.
