Dermod O'Brien
1 portrait of
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Dermod O'Brien
by Howard Coster
print, late 1930s
11 1/4in. x 9 1/8in. (285 mm x 233 mm)
Given by the estate of Howard Coster, 1978
Photographs Collection
NPG x22845
Artistback to top
- Howard Coster (1885-1959), Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 9349 portraits, Sitter in 5 portraits.
Events of 1937back to top
Current affairs
George VI becomes king. The younger brother of Edward VIII was crowned on the 12th May and the coronation was broadcast to Britain and the Empire on the radio. Edward becomes the Duke of Windsor, although the rank of 'Royal Highness' is not extended to Wallis Simpson.Neville Chamberlain becomes Prime Minister following Baldwin's retirement.
Art and science
Roland Penrose organises a tour of Picasso's painting Guernica to the UK. The painting, which shows the horrors of the Spanish Civil War, went on display at the Whitechapel Art Gallery in East LondonInternational
Commercial airship travel is brought to an end with the 'Hindenberg Disaster'. The German airship exploded while landing in New Jersey. The radio broadcaster Herbert Morrison's reaction has become legendary: 'Oh, the humanity!'Japan invades China, killing about 25,000. Japanese Troops committed numerous atrocities against soldiers and civilians in what became known as the 'Rape of Nanking'.
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Dr Éimear O'Connor
02 January 2020, 20:47
Dermod O'Brien was President of the Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, Ireland, for over forty years (1910-1945) during some of the most turbulent years in Irish history. He was born in Limerick, one of the O'Brien clan, and inherited a country home there. Best known as a portrait and landscape artist. He died in 1945 and was succeeded in his role as President of the RHA by James Sleator, who died on the steps of the academy building in January 1950. Sleator was succeeded by Seán Keating in March 1950, who remained in the role until he resigned to complete a large commission in 1962.