Lot 102: Micheal MacLiammoir (1899-1978) DEIRDRE AGUS

Micheal MacLiammoir (1899-1978) DEIRDRE AGUS LAVARCHAM, 1919 signed and dated upper right; inscribed on reverse pen and ink with watercolour 25 by 16cm., 9.75 by 6.25in. Deirdre of the Sorrows is one of the most familiar characters from the eighth and ninth century heroic cycle of Cuchulain. Before her birth it was prophesised that her great beauty would bring about the fall of the House of Usna, High Kings of Ulster. Attempting to thwart this prophesy, King Conchubar sent the child Deirdre away to a secluded location, with only a nurse and a tutor for company. She is depicted here as a young woman with her tutor, Lavarcham, shortly before eloping with her lover Naoise. Another illustration from the legend, The Lament of Deirdre for Naoise, was included in MacLíammóir's exhibition, 'Fantasies in Colour and Black and White', held in Dublin in 1925.