By examining the painting Pleasure of Italy (1972) Joanna Shepard discovered words and symbols underneath the painting. Words and markings such as “Jean-Marc” which may referencing on Derek Jarman’s ex-partner Jean-Marc Prouveur then “Trick or Treat”, “Me and My Shadow” and other.

“Examining the painting for this show, a chance back-lighting revealed dozens of inscriptions beneath the paint, deliberately and almost completely painted out, some featuring magical symbols substituted for individual letters,” wrote Joanna Shepard.

These discoveries underneath the artist’s painting is due to be published in a series of essays by Thames & Hudson on march 2020 and until 23rd February it is still possible to have a look at this painting in Dublin on show for the Irish Museum of Modern Art’s retrospective on the artist, titled Protest!.

Derek Jarman: Protest!
Nov 2019 – Feb 2020
The Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin
Royal Hospital Kilmainham
Dublin 8, D08 FW31, Ireland

Spring/Summer 2020
Manchester Art Gallery
Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3JL