Portrait of Anne O'Neill, later Mrs Segrave

Executed in oil, the work displays meticulous brushwork in the rendering of fabric, lace and hair, while the chiaroscuro of the deep background heightens the three‑dimensionality of the figure. Although dated to the late seventeenth century, the painting incorporates decorative lightness associated with early Rococo sensibilities, balancing realism with ornamental elegance.

Since its creation, the portrait has remained within Irish collections, ultimately entering the National Gallery of Ireland. Its attribution to Murphy is supported by stylistic analysis and contemporary records identifying him as the first Irish painter to work professionally, confirming the work’s place in the nation’s early art history.

The portrait reflects the social conventions of the Irish Protestant Ascendancy at the turn of the eighteenth century, where portraiture served both as a record of lineage and a display of wealth. The sumptuous dress and refined pose align with the expectations for women of the upper class, illustrating the cultural values of the period.