Sir John Lavery

Sir John Lavery (1856–1941) was an Irish painter celebrated for his elegant portraits, refined society scenes, and atmospheric landscapes. Known for his confident brushwork and harmonious color palette, Lavery captured both the glamour of the Edwardian elite and the quiet beauty of rural and coastal settings. His career encompassed a wide range of subjects, from official portraits of royalty and political leaders to intimate depictions of his wife, Hazel Lavery, who became his most famous muse. Born in Belfast, Lavery was orphaned as a child and raised in Scotland, where he studied at the Glasgow School of Art before training in Paris. He married Hazel Martyn in 1909, and together they became prominent figures in London’s social and artistic circles. Lavery continued to paint prolifically throughout his life, earning a knighthood in 1918 and remaining active until his death in 1941.