Charles Tyrell

Dublin, An tOireachtas, 1974

Original canvas. There are some minor scuff marks and wear to the edges and two small spots of paint loss to the centre of the left edge. There are some minor old creases in the bottom right corner otherwise in good original condition. Under ultraviolet light there appear to be no signs of retouching. Unframed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Tyrrell studied at the National College of Art and Design, Dublin and was influenced by the American Abstract Expressionists and by Morris Louis and Richard Diebenkorn in particular. During the early 70s, he developed the vibrant abstraction of the present work which is a rare early example of his style that combines a minimalist underlying structure with a particularly expressive application of paint. Tyrrell later explained that in his work, '..there is a constant battle or state of flux between the order of the imposed geometrical structure and the demands of an emerging painting that might not wish to conform to this structure...' (Tyrrell, quoted in Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, on-line catalogue).

Tyrrell has exhibited extensively internationally and in the year of the present work, he won the Carrolls Award at the Irish Exhibition of Living Art. In 1981, he was awarded the Jury's Special Mention at the International Festival of Painting, Cagnes - sur - Mer. He was elected a member of Aosdána in 1981 and went on to represent Ireland at the Paris Biennale in 1982.  He was honoured with a 10 year retrospective at the Royal Hibernian Academy in 2001 where Pat Murphy, Director of the R.H.A, aptly surmised in the catalogue that 'Charles Tyrrell is probably the best painter of his generation in Ireland...'.