End of a legacy

As George Bernard Shaw's generous bequest to the National Gallery of Ireland (NGI) draws to a close, here, Somerville-Large looks at how the funds have been distributed. In his own words, as a boy Shaw 'learned to recognize old masters at sight'. He spent hours in the National Gallery of Ireland (NGI) with his friend, Matthew McNulty, and they would go from picture to picture until Shaw, at least, became familiar with most of the works that were on display. In those days, the gallery attracted few visitors and, later, George Moore described it as 'the most perfect image of the Sahara'. But Shaw made the most of his time there and, in 1898, he wrote: 'Let me add a word of gratitude to the National Gallery of Ireland. I believe I am the only Irishman who has been in it except the officials.'