Iris Murdoch's Hidden Artworks, Including Self-Portrait, Unveiled at Chichester Exhibition
Last year, over 80 previously undiscovered pieces of art by Iris Murdoch, the Booker Prize-winning author, were found in a concealed room at her former residence, 30 Charlbury Road, in north Oxford. Among these works are her sole self-portrait, four surrealist landscapes, and three sketches of female nudes, all created between 1939 and 1941 during her time as a student, showcasing her early fascination with surrealism. Dr. Miles Leeson, who heads the Iris Murdoch Research Centre, investigated the property following the passing of Audi Bayley, the second wife of Murdoch's late husband. The hidden room, concealed behind a bookcase, held 20 surrealist watercolours and over 50 sketches. Until 10 December, 25 of these pieces are exhibited at the University of Chichester Library.
Key facts
- Over 80 previously unknown artworks by Iris Murdoch were discovered in a secret room in her former home in north Oxford.
- The artworks include her only known self-portrait, four surrealist landscape paintings, and three sketches of female nudes.
- The artworks were created between 1939 and 1941 while Murdoch was a student at Oxford.
- Dr Miles Leeson, director of the Iris Murdoch Research Centre at the University of Chichester, made the discovery.
- The secret room's door was hidden behind a large bookcase.
- Twenty-five of the works are on display at the University of Chichester Library until 10 December as part of the exhibition 'Iris Murdoch Amongst the Artists'.
- The self-portrait is dated 7 January 1941.
- The exhibition is the first ever devoted to Murdoch as an artist.
Entities
Artists
- Iris Murdoch
- Salvador Dalí
- Pablo Picasso
- Reynolds Stone
- Tom Phillips
Institutions
- University of Chichester
- Iris Murdoch Research Centre
- University of Chichester Library
Locations
- Oxford
- United Kingdom
- 30 Charlbury Road
- Chichester