Sarah Cecilia Harrison (1863-1941) was one of Dublin’s finest portrait painters but also immersed herself in the political and social fabric of Dublin life, becoming the first female City Councillor in 1912. Deeply involved in philanthropic, political, civic and artistic efforts, she was a staunch supporter and ally of Hugh Lane in the establishment of a modern art gallery for Dublin. In tandem with her artistic talents, Harrison was a progressive and enlightened woman but her contribution to the cultural and political life of Dublin has previously been overlooked. This publication, generously illustrated with paintings by Harrison, will restore and champion Harrison’s position as a woman who not only was a notable artistic talent but also made major contributions to the social and cultural fabric of Dublin life.

Dr. Margarita Cappock is an art historian, curator and writer based in Dublin City Arts Office. A graduate of University College Dublin, she was Project Manager of the Francis Bacon Studio Reconstruction and subsequently Head of Collections at the Hugh Lane Gallery from 1999 to 2018. She is the author of Francis Bacon’s Studio (2005) and A Guide to the Hugh Lane Collection. She is a regular contributor of scholarly articles and essays on Irish and British artists to national and international exhibition catalogues, publications and art journals.