Artist Vera Klute Wins Hennessy Portrait Prize 2015

Last night Tuesday, 17th November, saw the announcement of the winner of the Hennessy Portrait Prize 2015 at the National Gallery of Ireland. Vera Klute of County Dublin was declared triumphant for her oil on canvas, Anne Ryder, and was presented with a prize of €15,000 and a commission worth €5,000 to produce a portrait for inclusion in the National Portrait Collection. Hennessy is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, and the Portrait Prize was the final event in the yearlong celebrations, making the night automatically special.

Guests sipped on Hennessy cocktails on arrival, including the Hennessy Fine de Cognac and elderflower, Hennessy and ginger and our particular favourite the Hennessy hot berry. A winter warmer garnished with a juicy blackberry? It’s the perfect gallery date. DJ Mo Kelly provided the music on the night, as we mingled between The Winter Garden and the Hennessy Portrait Exhibition.

Some of the names in attendance included fashion designer and artist Helen Steele, jewellery designer Melissa Curry, illustrator Conor Merriman, Ella de Guzman of Siopaella, Caroline Kennedy, and 2014 Hennessy Portrait Prize judge, and artist, Donald Teskey, along with the winner of the 2014 Hennessy Portrait Prize, Nick Miller. Representatives from Mo?t Hennessy in Ireland, the UK and Europe also enjoyed the event including Jean Michel Cochet, Ambassadeur de la Maison Hennessy, Ian Fitchew, sales director Mo?t Hennessy UK and Vincent Borjon, business director Mo?t Hennessy Ireland, as well as Caroline Sleiman, Marketing Development Manager for Mo?t Hennessy Ireland and Andy O?Hara, CEO of Edward Dillon.

TheHennessy Portrait Prize 2015 exhibition runs until the 14th of February next year. For more details, check out the National Gallery of Ireland’s website.