- 99
Louis le Brocquy, H.R.H.A.
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
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Description
- Louis le Brocquy, H.R.H.A.
- Child Against a White Wall
- signed and dated l.r.: 54 / LE BROCQUY
- oil on canvas
- 30.5 by 40.5cm., 12 by 16in.
Provenance
Acquired by the father of the present owner circa 1960
Exhibited
XXVIII Venice Biennale, 1956, no.30
Condition
Original canvas. The work appears in good original condition with an impastoed surface.
Ultraviolet light reveals no signs of retouching.
Held under glass in original wooden box frame with a canvas inset.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Le Brocquy was selected to represent Ireland at the XXVIII Venice Biennale, a sign of
his growing international reputation, and the present work was included in the Irish Pavilion. It is typical of Le Brocquy's output in the 1950s, when the artist was particularly concerned with the isolation of the individual, even within group contexts (see following lot). These individuals were often children, one of his most well-known being the small but powerful oil, Caroline (1956, private collection), aptly described by the Irish poet John Montague in The Arts in Ireland, 1973: 'it is a portrait of real humanity and tenderness, which attempts to do justice to the spirit peering out of that shapeless face.'
his growing international reputation, and the present work was included in the Irish Pavilion. It is typical of Le Brocquy's output in the 1950s, when the artist was particularly concerned with the isolation of the individual, even within group contexts (see following lot). These individuals were often children, one of his most well-known being the small but powerful oil, Caroline (1956, private collection), aptly described by the Irish poet John Montague in The Arts in Ireland, 1973: 'it is a portrait of real humanity and tenderness, which attempts to do justice to the spirit peering out of that shapeless face.'
Le Brocquy had at this time moved to London, where he joined the circle of london artists including Keith Vaughan, John Minton, William Scott, Victor Pasmore, Graham Sutherland and Francis Bacon, with whom a strong friendship and interest in one another's work grew. During this period, the austerity of le Brocquy's painting developed and he employed the palette of muted greys, black and white apparent in the present work.