Reynolds' iconic masterpiece -'Portrait of Omai'- on public view from January 31st in the National Gallery

Press Release, 31st January

Joshua Reynolds' striking 'Portrait of 'Omai', is on display to the public from today, Tuesday, January 31st in the National Gallery of Ireland. The painting, considered to be one of the artist's most important works, is being placed on temporary loan to the Gallery.

Reynolds' portrait of the young Tahitian prince, 'Omai', was first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1776. It formed part of the celebrated collection at Castle Howard in Yorkshire until its auction at Sotheby's in London in 2001 where it was purchased by the present owner. In 2005, it constituted one of the highlights in the exhibition, Joshua Reynolds: The Creation of Celebrity held at Tate Britain.

Commenting on the loan, Raymond Keaveney, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland says that the Gallery is delighted to have this rarely seen painting by Reynolds on view to its public: "We wish to express our appreciation for the loan of this work which will be integrated into the display of the permanent collection, affording visitors the opportunity to see one of the major masterpieces by Reynolds. The Gallery is very keen to enhance the collection and make available to the public the best possible presentation of art works. The ideal way to do this is through acquisitions, but in reality, as with other major international museums and galleries, special loans play an important part in such a strategy."

'Portrait of Omai' by Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792)
Oil on canvas, 236 x 145.5cm
Omai (c.1753-?1779), a young Polynesian Prince, took London by storm when he arrived from Tahiti in 1774. His patrons, the Earl of Sandwich and scientists, Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander, were keen to see how an untutored native of the South Seas responded to Western civilization. For two years he was a celebrity, his politeness and table manners remarked upon, equally his skill at chess. Normally dressed in a conventional suit and lace shirt, Reynolds portrays him in loose, timeless robes, probably at Omai's suggestion, to give a princely bearing. The sash and turban are derived from Tahitian dress, where they would be of tapa, a cloth made from tree bark. His pose comes from the Apollo Belvedere, giving him a classical lineage, in keeping with his elevated expression, toga-like garments and bare feet. A tattooed hand is a reminder of his origins. In 1776, Omai accompanied Captain Cook back to the South Seas. His whereabouts thereafter remain unknown, however his legacy is one of the icons of eighteenth-century portraiture. Reynolds had the portrait engraved in 1777. It was subsequently bought by the Earl of Carlisle for Castle Howard in 1796, where it remained until recently.

The Reynolds portrait is on view in the British Rooms of the Beit Wing. Visitor entrance via Merrion Square West or Clare Street, Dublin 2. Admission to the Gallery is free.

NOTE TO PICTURE/ NEWS EDITORS: Images of the painting are available from Sotheby's Picture Library.
Contact Sue Daly, Tel. + 44 (0) 207 293 5383 or
Email sue.daly@sothebys.com

For further information, contact: Valerie Keogh
Press & Communications Office
National Gallery of Ireland
Telephone (01) 663 3598
Email press@ngi.ie