Iris Murdoch's Secret Artworks and Self-Portrait on Display 2026

Iris Murdoch artworks, including her only self-portrait, have been discovered in a secret room and are now on display for the first time. The collection of over 80 pieces was found in the attic of her former home in Oxford, hidden behind a bookcase for decades.

The Discovery of Iris Murdoch's Hidden Artworks

Dr Miles Leeson, director of the Iris Murdoch Research Centre at the University of Chichester, uncovered the trove after being invited by the executors of Murdoch's estate. The secret room, accessible only through a hidden door behind a large bookcase, had remained untouched for years. Leeson described it as an "inner sanctum" filled with personal effects and private items.

What Was Found in the Secret Room?

The newly discovered artworks include four surrealist landscape paintings, three sketches of female nudes, and the only self-portrait Murdoch is known to have painted. These pieces date from the start of World War II when Murdoch was a student at Oxford, revealing her early interest in surrealism and her fascination with the naked female form.

The Significance of the Self-Portrait and Surrealist Paintings

Murdoch, who died in 1999, was known to be a hoarder, but this discovery dramatically expands her artistic legacy. The self-portrait is particularly rare, offering a glimpse into how the Booker Prize-winning author saw herself during her formative years. The surrealist landscapes reflect the influence of the movement that was sweeping Europe at the time.

Murdoch's Early Fascination with the Female Form

The sketches of female nudes are especially revealing. Murdoch realized she was bisexual at 15, and these drawings capture a "sexual frisson" and yearning that also appear in her early poetry dedicated to women she desired. They were created shortly before she embarked on her first known physical relationship with a woman.

Key Takeaways from the Exhibition

• Over 80 previously unknown Iris Murdoch artworks are now on public display.
• The collection includes her only known self-portrait and four surrealist landscapes.
• Three sketches of female nudes highlight her early exploration of sexuality and desire.
• The artworks were hidden in a secret attic room for decades, undiscovered until 2024.
• This discovery reshapes our understanding of Murdoch's creative output beyond her novels.

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