The Blue Hat (Kathleen Kearney) 1923

Sarah Purser painted this portrait of Kathleen Kearney, known as The Blue Hat, in Ireland, but the exact date of its creation is unknown. Purser came from a wealthy family, and this economic security allowed her to pursue her artistic ambitions at a time when most women were excluded from professional art. Purser was a prominent figure in the Irish art scene during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was deeply involved in the cultural and political movements of her time, advocating for the recognition of Irish artists and the establishment of national institutions for the arts. She founded the Irish Arts and Crafts Society and played a crucial role in establishing the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery in Dublin. Her portrait of Kearney, like much of her work, is a testament to her commitment to portraying Irish subjects with dignity and sensitivity, in contrast to the more sentimental and often stereotypical images of the Irish that were common at the time. Understanding this work requires delving into the cultural and political contexts of early 20th-century Ireland, researching the artist's biography, and exploring the institutional histories of the Irish art world.