The Disc Maker (c.1920) by Sir John Lavery — Collector’s Edition Irish Master Art Print
Step into the golden age of Irish portraiture with The Disc Maker (c.1920), a luminous celebration of craftsmanship, industry and quiet resilience by Sir John Lavery (1856–1941). Born in Belfast and internationally acclaimed, Lavery was one of Ireland’s most influential painters, renowned for immortalising the spirit of his time.
A Tribute to the Irish Arts & Crafts Movement
This masterpiece captures the contemplative beauty of a female artisan at work. Bathed in soft, golden light, her focused expression and poised posture reflect the dignity of labour and the quiet heroism of creation. Lavery transforms an everyday act of making into a symbolic moment of Irish artistic pride.
Historical Significance and the Role of Women in Wartime
Painted in the same year as Lavery’s important work Elswick (Imperial War Museum Collection), The Disc Maker reflects the mobilisation of women during the First World War. While Elswick depicts large-scale munitions production, this painting offers a deeply personal perspective, highlighting the essential but often overlooked contributions of women to the war effort. The hazy atmosphere and concentrated figure convey both the urgency of production and the unwavering devotion of individuals working for a national cause. Lavery elevates the female worker to a subject of artist
