This series of portraits shines a light on the wives/lovers and often invisible influencers and supporters of some of the great men in history.

Marie Curie

Marie’s reputation as a pioneering scientist and trailblazer for women in science is unparalleled.  She significantly influenced her husband, Pierre, through their collaborative work on radioactivity which led to their joint Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903.  Their legacies continued through their daughters, Irene and Eve Curie, who also made significant contributions to science.

Lord Alfred Douglas :

Lord Alfred Douglas (Bosie) was a poet and journalist.  He shared a complex and passionate relationship with Oscar Wilde that was highly controversial in those days. Bosie’s influence on Wilde’s life was profound but his father’s disapproval of their relationship led to Wilde’s downfall, including imprisonment with hard labour for gross indecency.

Coretta Scott King. 

was an American author, civil rights activist and wife of Martin Luther King Junior.  She played a prominent role in the years after her husband’s assassination in 1968, when she took on the leadership of the struggle for racial equality herself and became active in the Women’s Movement.  Vintage photo reference: Gift of Documentary Arts, Int Centre of Photography.

Eileen O’Shaughnessy:

Eileen O’Shaughnessy was the first wife of Eric Blair otherwise known as George Orwell. She was a poet and psychologist, and it is widely believed her poem End of the Century 1984 was the inspiration for Orwell’s bestselling novel 1984.  I was inspired to include Eileen in this series after reading Anna Funder’s book Wifedom – a great account of the invisible Mrs Orwell.

Clara Schumann

Clara was a German composer, pianist, teacher and child prodigy.  She had eight children with composer Robert Schumann who acknowledged her profound and multifaceted influence on his work as his vital creative adviser.   In addition to being a mother and managing her household, Clara maintained an active performing career across Europe.  She will be remembered as one of the most distinguished pianists of the Romantic Era.

Clementine Churchill 

Clementine played a significant role in Winston Churchill’s life and career.  During their 57-year marriage, Clementine repeatedly helped her husband get out of political and personal trouble. She was actively involved in humanitarian work during two world wars. Her life reflects the complexities of being a supportive partner to one of history’s most prominent leaders while also navigating her own challenges and impactful contributions to society.

Nora Barnacle: 

Nora Barnacle was the wife of James Joyce.  She endured many hardships throughout their passionate and unconventional marriage – living in poverty and exile.  Nora supported Jim’s literary aspirations both financially and emotionally, especially during his literary struggles and personal challenges.  Nora’s influence was evident in Joyce’s characters such as Molly Bloom and Greta Conroy.

The biography Nora by Nuala O’Connor (purchased at Easons, Dublin) inspired this series, which includes two portraits of Nora—one on large timber panels and the other on canvas.

Zelda Fitzgerald.

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s wife, muse, and contemporary emblem of the Roaring Twenties, Zelda had a profound and multi-layered influence on the characters and relationships depicted in The Great Gatsby, particularly Daisy Buchanan and the dynamics of her relationship with Jay Gatsby.  She was a novelist, painter and socialite.  Two portraits of Zelda – one as a younger woman and one prior to her early demise at age 47.